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Ostrich Farming
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the university of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other at [email protected] ostrich is the world's largest living bird. It is very adaptable and can
thrive under extreme conditions, Ostriches may be found in a variety of
open habitats: Semi-arid, open and short-grass plains. They are also able
to thrive in very poorly vegetated areas. It has remarkable tolerance to
heat, withstanding air temperatures of 56°C without undue stress. Wild
ostriches live for about 35 years and domesticated birds for 45 to 50
years. The weight of the mature bird (one-year-old) is on average 100 to
120 kg. Originally, ostriches were known for their feathers, but since
1970 ostrich skins became the major source of income. It is considered
one of the most luxurious leathers, and some even place it on a par with
crocodile and snake skin. Ostrich leather is thick, durable and extremely
soft and can be manufactured into a variety of products, such as shoes,
bags, purses and jackets. More recently, ostrich meat became popular
because of its health benefits; it has almost no fat, low cholesterol and is
rich in protein and iron. The greater focus on a healthy lifestyle is causing
a growing demand for ostrich meat worldwide and South Africa is
normally the main supplier. Currently the income from ostrich products is
leather (50%–70%), meat (30%- 45%) and feathers (5%-15%
Wood Density Radial Variation of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile Grown in Sudan
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the university of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other at [email protected] density is a variable influencing many of the technological and
quality properties of wood. Previous studies have shown that wood
density is an important indicator for wood end-use as it strongly affects
the general quality of most of the wood products. Understanding the
radial variation pattern of wood density is important for its end use. The
present study was carried out to determine the pattern of wood density
radial variation of Balanites aegyptiaca tree species. Thirty healthy trees
were chosen randomly from 10 forests distributed in four states in Sudan,
namely, Blue Nile, North Kordofan, South Kordofan and White Nile.
Two discs of 10 cm thickness were cut from each tree, the first at 10%
from the merchantable height and the second at 90%. One strip (includes
tree’s pith) was taken from each disc. The wood basic density was
determined for five radial portions representing the distance from pith to
bark (10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 90%). The density was measured based
on dry weight and green volume. ANOVA was used to test the variation
among the five selected radial portions, using SPSS (version 18.0)
program. The results revealed that Balanites aegyptiaca wood density
follows the increased pattern from pith to bark. The results showed also
significant differences among the five selected portions from pith to bark
International Meat Market and the Sudan Future as A Meat Exporting Country
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the university of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other Omer Mustafa Mohamed and Ali Ahmed ElmardiLivestock is the largest subsector of the Sudanese domestic economy and
is a growing contributor to exports. Sudan is characterized by vast areas
of range and arable land which is either rain-fed or irrigated. Although it
has a large population of livestock estimated to be 103 million heads of
which 29.4, 39.1, 30.5 and 4.6 million head of cattle, sheep, goat and
camel, respectively, but not yet included by the international standards
among the main meat producers or exporters. Despite the low cost of the
traditional method of animal production, still the prices are relatively high
compared with international prices. In addition, Sudanese prices are
constantly fluctuating between seasons and within the year. The main
meat producing countries in the world are China, United States, Brazil,
Germany and India, but the main producers are not necessarily the main
exporters. A country like China consumes all the meat it produces and
imports more. The main meat exporting countries are India, Brazil,
Australia and the United States. India is the leading beef exporter in the
world. The main meat markets in the world are South–East Asia, West
Asia, North Africa, Gulf countries, Japan, N. Korea and US. The Global
meat prices are affected by a number of factors mainly feed cost and
drought. Meat production in warm climatic zones faces some specific
problems that differ greatly from those encountered in the temperate
zones. Therefore, an efficient well-developed production and marketing
systems are needed so as, to compete in the international market with
countries that are producing at the low cost and high quality. Meat quality
can be improved by the application of available improved techniques
throughout the processing chain. Range management and genetic
improvement are key factors in any programs aiming at increasing
efficiency of production
Effect of Postmortem Aging Period on Quality Properties of Bovine Muscles, Longissimus dorsi, Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus, Held at 2ºC
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the university of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other Ikhlas Ahmed NourA study was conducted to investigate the effect of postmortem aging
period (1, 5, 10, and 15 days) on meat quality of bovine muscles,
Longissimus dorsi, Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus, held at 2°C.
Fourteen western Baggara bulls were used. The hindquarters were
immediately chilled at 2°C for 24 hours, L. dorsi, Semimembranosus and
Semitendinosus were cold deboned, each one was divided into four parts
and aged immediately after deboning for 1, 5, 10 and 15 days at 2°C.
Temperature and pH profile, chemical composition, bacterial load and muscle eating quality were determined. The extractable myofibrillar
proteins, the non-protein nitrogen and the water holding capacity were
significantly (P≤0.001) increased, while the extractabe sarcoplasmic
proteins significantly (P≤0.001) decreased; cooking loss and colour
rating scores decreased and tenderness increased numerically with
increasing aging period to 15 days. Increasing aging period from 5 to 15
days resulted in low flavour rating and increasd juiciness but nonsignificantly
for the three muscles studied. SDS polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis revealed a gradual decrease and disappearance of the
troponin-T and a built up of a 30 kd component seems to be the major
changes during postmortem aging. Complete disappearance of toponin-T
and appearance of a 30 kd component at day 10 of aging and continue to
be observed at day 15
Economic Efficiency in Rain-fed Farming Sector Sinnar State – Sudan
No full textThe main objective of this study was to estimate the efficiency of resource use and to
determine the optimum crop mix that would maximize the farmer returns in the rain-fed
sector in Sinnar, State, Sudan. The study depended mainly on primary data that was
collected by field survey. A multi-stage stratified random sample technique was used for
classifying the farmers and assist in determining the sample size. A total of 173
households was chosen (104 households representing the traditional farmers and 69
households representing the semi-mechanized farmers). Data was collected through
personal interviewing the selected farmers about all their farming aspects related to
farming season 2011/12 using a structured questionnaire. Linear programming technique
was used for analyzing the parameters of the study. The entire was firstly classified into
two categories: Traditional farmers and semi-mechanized farmers, and secondly the
semi-mechanized farmers were further classified into three categories based on farm size;
namely small farmers with farm size of less than 500 hundred hectares, medium farms
with farm size of 500 to 1000 hectares, and large farms with farm size greater than 1000
hectares. The technical efficiency of resource use indicated that the resource in both
sectors for the production of all cultivated crops was not used efficiently. The results
revealed that operating capital in the traditional sector was underutilized and labor and
seeds were over-utilized. In the semi-mechanized sector operating capital and herbicides
were underutilized, while labor and seeds were over utilized. The farmers basic plans
showed that the traditional farmers cultivated a combination of sorghum, sesame, pearl
millet, cowpea and groundnut, while the semi-mechanized farmers cultivated a
combination of sorghum, sesame, pearl millet, and sunflower. The allocative efficiency
analysis has revealed that the optimum cropping pattern for the traditional farmers is by
cultivating sorghum and cowpea. The optimum cropping pattern for the semi-mechanized
farms is by cultivating: only millet for the small farms, sesame and sunflower for the
medium farms and sorghum and sunflower for the large farms. This optimum cropping
pattern has increased the income of farmers by 43%, 31.3%, 24.7%, and 24.2 for the
traditional farmers, semi-mechanized farmers, semi-mechanized large farmers, and semimechanized
small farmers, respectively. The study suggested that the government is
facilitate timely provision of necessary financial resources to farmers for improving the
efficiency of resource use. The Agricultural Extension Department is to educate the
farmers about the optimum use of inputs
Evaluation of the Performance of Center Pivot Irrigation System for Proper Irrigation Scheduling
No full textThis study was conducted at Atbara farm of the Arab Company for Crop
Production where center pivots were used for producing alfalfa as a forage crop. The
objectives were evaluation of the performance of the center pivot irrigation system, the
irrigation scheduling practiced in the farm and crop water requirement. The low level of
both macro–and micro – nutrients suggests the need for addition of nitrogenous,
phosphatic and potassic fertilizers together with foliar spray of micro–nutrients. Also, the
results showed that the uniformity coefficients, using Christiansen (Cu) and Heirman and
Hein (CuHH) methods was relatively low being 84.14% and 85.32%, respectively. The
distribution uniformity (Du) was 80% at 50% speed which is below the acceptable value.
The results also revealed that the application efficiency is 77.72%. For proper irrigation
scheduling, a recent innovation having the trade name „„Watermark” coupled with a
special resistance digital meter were used for monitoring the soil moisture. It becomes
evident from these results that when appropriate scheduling programmes are followed, as
by using the “Watermark”, three to four irrigations can be eliminated in one month which
will reduce the fuel cost and finally the total cost of operation of the center pivot
irrigation system
Effect of Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation on the Meat Quality Attributes of Beef of Western Baggara Bulls, Sudan
No full textA study was designed to examine the effectiveness of low voltage (80 V) electrical
stimulation (ES) in improving meat quality of the western Baggara bulls. Twenty-eight
beef bulls, 5-6 years old and of live weights ranging between 320 and 350 kg were used.
Fourteen were subjected to ES with 80V, 10 minutes post-slaughter for 30 seconds and
14 were unstimulated (NES) as control. The pH and temperature were monitored every
hour for the first 10 hours and subsequently at 24 hours. Carcasses were chilled at 2˚C
for 24 hours and Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle samples were dissected between the 9th
and 12th rib, for analysis. The low voltage ES resulted in a significantly (P≤0.05) rapid
pH decline, while the muscle temperature was still higher at the first 3hour post-mortem
than the control. ES had no significant (P>0.05) effect on the proximate chemical
composition (protein, fat, moisture and ash) and the lightness (L*) - colour co-ordinate of
the LD muscle. The percentage of extractable myofibrillar proteins increased
significantly (P≤0.05) but redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) decreased significantly
(P≤0.05) in the ES muscles. The colour, flavour, tenderness and juiciness panel scores
increased significantly (P≤0.05) in ES LD muscles in contrast with the NES ones. The
application of ES to beef carcasses from elderly western Baggara bulls enhanced meat
tenderness and could be beneficial for the meat industry by increasing the value and
quality of this sort of carcass
Impact of Genetic and Environmental Factors on Production and Reproduction Traits of Saanen Goats Raised Under Sudan Conditions
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the genetic and environmental factors affecting
milk production and reproduction traits of Saanen goats raised under Sudan semi-arid
conditions. Data were extracted from the Goat Improvement Project records covering the
period from 2004 to 2011. They were classified according to place of birth, season and
year of kidding and parity number for all studied traits. However, birth weight was
classified in addition to the above, according to sex and type of birth. Data were
subjected to analysis of variance, using Harvey’s computer software. Least squares
means, heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations of the studied traits were
estimated. The least squares means of milk yield (MY), daily milk yield (DMY) and
lactation length (LL) were 340.78 kg, 1.50 kg and 203.99 days, respectively. While those
means for birth weight (BW), age at first kidding (AFK), number of services per
conception (NSC) and kidding interval (KI) were 3.25 kg, 458.11 days, 1.53 times and
315.29 days, respectively. On the other hand, the average conception rate over five
breeding years ranged from 90.09% to 96.87% and kidding percentage ranged from 151.6
to 162.12%. The estimates of heritability from full sibs component of variance were 0.44,
0.82 and 0.34, 0.39, 0.10 and 0.27 for MY, DMY, LL, BW, NSC and KI, respectively.
The results indicated that year of kidding had a significant (P<0.01) effect on all studied
traits, while season had insignificant effect on BW and AFK. Place of birth was
significantly affected LL only. Parity order significantly affected BW, MY and DMY. It
is concluded that productive and reproductive performance of Saanen breed was suitable
for milk and kid production under Sudan conditions, but it can be improved by
management, nutritional and breeding practices
Impact of Genetic and Non-genetic Factors on Birth Weight of Crossbred Red Angus and Simmental with Local Cattle in Sudan
No full textA crossbreeding program designed to produce a new beef breed was initiated by the
Ministry of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Rangelands, and was executed in
collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture in Khartoum State and the private sector.
The main objective of this paper was to determine the factors affecting birth weight of
crossbred Red Angus and Simmental with local Sudanese cattle raised under Sudan
conditions. The study was conducted at Dr. Mohamed Alamin farm in Alkadarow area,
Khartoum North, Khartoum State, Sudan, about 40 km from Khartoum city center. Four
hundred cows were purchased from local markets of different states. The cows were split
into two groups randomly and were inseminated with Simmental and Red Angus
imported semen using artificial insemination. The calves produced were weighed
immediately after birth. The birth data were classified according to sex of calf, season
and year of birth, sire breed, dam ecotype and dam weight. The results showed that the
average birth weight was 25.56 kg. Sire breed, dam ecotype, season of birth and sex of
calf had no significant (P>0.05) influence on the birth weight, while it was significantly
(P<0.001) affected by year of birth and dam weight. The calves born in 2011 were
significantly (P≤0.05) heaver in birth weight than those obtained in 2012. The birth
weight showed a significantly (P≤0.05) increasing trend with increase in body weight of
dam. Male calves recorded an insignificantly (P>0.05) higher birth weight than female
calves. The birth weight of calves born in the winter season was the highest (P≤0.05)
followed by dry summer calves, while wet summer calves recorded the lowest birth
weight. The birth weight of Simmental crossbred calves was insignificantly greater than
that of Red Angus crossbred calves. The study concluded that birth weight of crossbred
calves from exotic beef breeds with local cattle of Sudan is moderate and resulted in easy
calving with no cases of dystocia. The use of these two exotic breeds in a crossing
program designed to produce a new beef breed is recommended
Field Establishment of Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sissoo and Khaya senegalensis in Kondowa Forest, South Darfur State, Sudan
No full textThis study was conducted in Kondowa Forest Reserve in South Darfur State
during August – October 2010 to compare the establishment of Azadirachta indica,
Dalbergia sissoo and Khaya senegalensis by seedlings under rainfed conditions. An
experiment was executed as randomised complete block design with three replicates.
Statistical analysis of measured growth parameters showed significant differences in
shoot length and highly significant differences in stem diameter at root collar: The results
showed the superiority of Dalbergia sissoo in survival rate under the prevailing
conditions: 100%, 91% and 87% for Dalbergia sissoo, Azadirachta indica and Khaya
senegalensis, respectively. The average shoot length was 10.8 cm, 9.1 cm and 8.7 cm for
Dalbergia sisso, Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis, respectively. The average
diameters at root collar were 3.4 cm for Dalbergia sissoo, 3.0 cm for Azadirachta indica
and 2.6 cm for Khaya senegalensis. The average root lengths were 25.7 cm for Dalbergia
sissoo, 21.4 cm for Azadirachta indica and 22.0 cm for Khaya senegalensis. The three
species gave satisfactory establishment, thus encouraging their adoption for future
planting programs in the reserved forest and surrounding habitats. Future investigations
will be useful for large scale planting