The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different roughage to ratios on chemical and physico-mechanical quality of leather of Twenty four lambs were initially blocked into 6 blocks of and randomly assigned to 4 dietary groups. During the growth phase, sheep consumed natural grass hay ad libitum and a mixture of dried Acacia albida leaves with pods, and cactus pear cladodes (2:1 ratio, respectively) as a supplement at 0, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5% of body weight in group A, B, C and D, respectively. During the finishing phase, roughage composed of natural grass hay and haricot bean haulms (50:50 ratio) and concentrate mixtur bran (69%) and 31% of oil seed meal (noug seed 1.1:1) were consumed at roughage to concentrate ratios of 60:40, 50:50,40:60, and 30:70 by the groups, respectively. After completion of 180 days slaughtered for leather quality test studies. Except the was higher (P<0.05) for group A than group C, all the chemical quality test of leather were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the groups. Physico leather such as thickness, tensile strength, percentage of elongation, tear load, tear resistance, distension at burst, were significantly improved ( concentrate, and were higher for group C. However, water absorption (v/m) was lower (P<0.05) for leather produced from group A. Shrinkage at 24 hr (v/v) did not vary (P>0.05) due to treatment. It can be conclude of concentrate in the diet improved production of leather that Ethiopian leather industry in most of the test parameters. However, from most of the values of the physico-mechanical quality parameters, group C is recommended as better Abstract Article InformationThe objective of this study was to determine the effects of different roughage to concentrate mechanical quality of leather of Blackhead Ogaden sheep. initially blocked into 6 blocks of four lambs each based on body weight During the growth phase, sheep consumed natural of dried Acacia albida leaves with pods, and cactus pear respectively) as a supplement at 0, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5% of body weight in and D, respectively. During the finishing phase, roughage composed of natural hay and haricot bean haulms (50:50 ratio) and concentrate mixture composed of wheat bran (69%) and 31% of oil seed meal (noug seed meal and cotton seed meal in the ratio of 1.1:1) were consumed at roughage to concentrate ratios of 60:40, 50:50,40:60, and 30:70 by the groups, respectively. After completion of 180 days of stall feeding, all animals were Except the moisture content at wet blue stage, which C, all the chemical quality test of leather were not among the groups. Physico-mechanical quality parameters of thickness, tensile strength, percentage of elongation, tear load, tear resistance, distension at burst, were significantly improved (P<0.05) due to increased proportion of ncentrate, and were higher for group C. However, water absorption (v/m) was significantly <0.05) for leather produced from group A. Shrinkage temperature and water absorption treatment. It can be concluded that increasing level...

An investigation was carried out into the behavioural and physical signs of oestrus in 70 Fogera cows and heifers between December 1993 and May 1994 at Metekel Cattle Breeding and Improvement Ranch, Ethiopia. Retrospective information generated from records made between 1991 and 1994 was evaluated for some aspects of the reproductive indices. The mean +/- SD duration of oestrus (n = 136) was 10.6 +/- 4.5 h (range 2.2-21). Most oestruses (63.2%) started during the day (06:00-18:00). The incidence of oestrus was significantly affected by months (chi 2 = 21.86; p < 0.001). Among the physical signs, standing to be mounted was the most consistent indication (97.8%) of oestrus. About 12.5% of the cows in oestrus did not mount other cows. The retrospective study indicated that the mean interoestrus interval for 46 oestruses was 29.2 +/- 19.7 days. The average gestation length for 141 cows was 276 days. Continuous and careful observation of oestrus would reduce the reproductive wastage that arises from less pronounced heat periods and those occurring at night, especially for ranches that use artificial insemination and have a limited number of bulls.

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Plants produce secondary compounds (include tannins, saponins, flavoids, glucosinolates, mimosine and essential oils) which are not used for their growth, development and reproduction of the plant. The review found out the nutrient utilization and productivity performance of ruminant animals supplementing with secondary compounds containing forages, browse species, shrubs, grains, legumes and others. Secondary compounds influence the digestibility, dry matter intake and absorption of nutrients in ruminant’s nutrition. Their dose determines whether they are enhancers or detrimental. Tannins, saponins and essential oils are the major secondary compounds which may improve the health, average live weight gain and milk and wool production. Moreover, ruminant animals consuming secondary compound containing forages support the efficient utilization of energy while reducing the rumen gas production which results in low methane. The main problem of supplementing such kind of forages is the absence of consistent recommended dose. Therefore, this area needs to get more attention and further research should be done to establish much more profitable farm and to boost the economic value of ruminant animals.

A study was conducted with the objective to assess the effects of feeding regimes on carcass measurements and proximate composition of finishing Blackhead Ogaden (BHO) sheep. Twenty-four lambs with mean initial body weight of 17.3 ± 0.52 kg were blocked into 6 groups of four lambs based on weight. Lambs in each block were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments. During the growth phase, natural grass hay was offered ad libitum and a mixture of Acacia albida and Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) (at the ratio of 2:1, respectively) was supplemented at the rate of 0.9% (0.9ACM (acacia-cactus mixture), 1.2% (1.2ACM) and 1.5% (1.5ACM) of lambs body weight. Lambs in control treatment (0ACM) did not receive the supplement. During the finishing phase, roughage composed of natural grass hay and haricot bean hauls at 50:50 ratio and concentrate supplement composed of 69% wheat bran and 31% oil seed meals (noug and cottonseed cakes at the ratio of 1.1:1) were fed at roughage (R) to concentrate (C) ratios of 60R:40C, 50R:50C, 40R:60C, and 30R:70C. The percentages of roughage and concentrate were determined based on ad libitum consumption of individual animal on dry matter (DM) basis. After the completion of stall feeding, all animals were slaughtered for carcass compositions and linear measurements evaluation. Except the anterior buttock circumference (ABC) and chest depth, all carcass measurements did not vary (p > 0.05) due to feeding regimes. Lambs fed 1.5ACM/30R:70C had (p < 0.05) wider ABC than other treatment groups. Similarly, greater chest depth was recorded for groups in 1.5ACM/ 30R:70C than 0ACM/60R:40C, but the values for the rest treatments were similar. Most carcass compositions did not affect as a result of different feeding regimes, but fat content followed a similar trend to that of chest depth.