College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Management practices and constraints of commercial poultry farms, and performance evaluation of sasso-c44 broilers fed on diets containing graded level dried blood rumen-content mixture

2026-03-01T00:00:00Z

Management practices and constraints of commercial poultry farms, and performance evaluation of sasso-c44 broilers fed on diets containing graded level dried blood rumen-content mixture Abdisa, Soresa Shuma This study was employed to assess the management practices and constraints of commercial poultry farms, and performance evaluation of Sasso-C44 broilers fed on diets containing graded level dried rumen content mixture. Data on farm management was collected using a semi structured questionnaire survey substantiated with a focus group discussion, and field observations. Data on management variables were processed using SPSS version 29, and Garret’s ranking technique. Two hundred day old Sasso C44 broiler chicks were placed randomly to five dietary treatments for the experimental study using a completely randomized design (CRD). Experimental rations during both the starter age (1 28 days) and finisher (29 56 days) were: T1,T2, T3,T4 and T5. The experimental treatments consisted five dietary groups formulated by replacing roasted soybean meal (RSBM) with dried blood rumen content Mixture (DBRCM) at different levels. Data were analyzed using SAS version 9.2. Intensive production systems account for 94.5% of the farms, and deep litter housing management account for 73.1% of the farms studied. Average flock size per farm in the study area was 734 birds, and Bovan Brown chicken breed were the dominant breed identified in this study. The disease prevalence assessments revealed a ruffled feathers (13.5%), loss of appetite (11.5%), and depression (11.5%), followed by weight loss (9.6%) and diarrhea (7.7%). Producers largely blamed management gaps (44.2%) or environmental factors (34.6%) with 21.2% citing a combination of both the primary drivers of outbreaks. Vaccination efforts focused mainly on fowl pox (51.9%) and Newcastle disease (40.4%), while fewer farms vaccinated against infectious bursal disease (7.7%); vaccination schedules typically followed recommendations from the chicks’ source farms. On the biosecurity front, most producers adopted basic protective measures: Accordingly, 73.1% used protective clothing, plastic boots, and hair covers, 30.4% of producers were using gloves, and 67.3% were maintaining footbaths at farm entrances. The standard vaccination schedule used were IBD vaccine on day 1, NCD vaccine on day 7, and boosters on days 14, 28, and 42 against other diseases. Feed intake and chicken growth responses varied slightly among treatments that average daily dry matter intake was in the range of 66.38 g at T4 to 71.60 g at T1 and T5; intake in T4 was lower than those at T1, T2, T3, and T5. Daily weight gain ranged from 29.8 to 31.5 g/bird with no significant statistical difference among treatments (P>0.05). Feed vii conversion ratios ranged between 2.22 and 2.29 and were not different statistically among groups (P>0.05). With the conclusion, DBRCM can replace up to 60% soybean meals in both starter and finisher diets for Sasso--C44 broilers with no negative impact on performance and survivability. Carcass evaluation revealed that edible carcass weights were between 1085g and 1178g, and the dressing percentage ranged from 52.3% to 57.79%. Dressing percentage and carcass weights remained comparable across treatments, reinforcing that DBRCM can replace up to 60% of soybean meals with a positive effect on growth performance and carcass quality. The economic analysis clearly indicated that birds under T3 and T4 had higher (P<0.05) economic efficiencies than those under T1 and T5. In conclusion replacing RSBM with DBRCM up to a level of 60% in both starter and finisher diets seems to reduce feeding costs and improve economic efficiency due to its free availability and labor affordability without adverse effects on overall performance, feed conversion, or carcass characteristics in Sasso--C44 broilers

Adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices by smallholder dairy farmers in Chipinge and Mutasa Districts of the Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe

2026-08-14T00:00:00Z

Adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices by smallholder dairy farmers in Chipinge and Mutasa Districts of the Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe Chavhunduka, Tinashe Climate change poses significant constraints on smallholder dairy production systems in Zimbabwe, particularly in drought-prone regions such as Manicaland Province. This study analysed farmers’ perceptions of climate change and their influence on the adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices among smallholder dairy farmers in Chipinge and Mutasa districts. It further quantified the extent of adoption of adaptation- and mitigation-based CSA practices and identified socio-economic and institutional determinants shaping adoption decisions. Guided by the Climate-Smart Agriculture framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization, which integrates productivity, resilience, and greenhouse gas mitigation objectives, the study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Primary data were collected from 154 smallholder dairy households using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics indicated that feed shortages (59.6%) and water scarcity (55.0%) were the most severe climate-related constraints, while 84.7% of respondents reported high awareness of the impacts of climate change on dairy production. Inferential analysis revealed a statistically significant association between climate change perception and CSA adoption (χ², p < 0.05), indicating that perception significantly shapes adoption behaviour. Binary logistic regression results showed that CSA adoption was significantly influenced by household size, education level, herd size, farming experience, access to finance, and perception of climate variability (p < 0.05), confirming that both human capital and resource endowments are key adoption drivers. Further, multinomial logistic regression results demonstrated that district location significantly influenced farmers’ choice among adaptation-only, mitigation-only, and integrated CSA strategies (p < 0.05), highlighting spatial heterogeneity in adoption behaviour. The model exhibited acceptable explanatory power, confirming robustness in predicting CSA adoption categories. Despite high awareness levels (84.7%), CSA adoption remains constrained by structural socio-economic and institutional barriers. Adaptation practices are widely adopted but predominantly reactive and short-term coping strategies, while mitigation practices remain limited and are primarily motivated by productivity gains rather than by emission-reduction objectives. Agroforestry demonstrated moderate adoption (34%) and provided synergistic adaptation–mitigation benefits. v The study concludes that although smallholder dairy farmers exhibit adaptive capacity, their responses remain largely survivalist rather than transformative. Strengthening access to finance, enhancing extension services, and providing targeted incentives for mitigation-oriented technologies are critical to promoting integrated and sustainable climate-smart dairy systems in Zimbabwe

Physicochemical and microbio effects of coal mining on the quality of Naauwpoortspruit river, Mpumalanga, South Africa

2026-09-16T00:00:00Z

Physicochemical and microbio effects of coal mining on the quality of Naauwpoortspruit river, Mpumalanga, South Africa Seletisha, Moses Shimo Coal mining has been shown to affect both surface water and groundwater quality, primarily because of the presence of acidity in mine drainage, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants. Hence, this study aimed to determine the environmental impacts of coal mining and processing activities on the quality of water of the Naauwpoortspruit River in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga Province. This study used an integrated mixed-methods approach to capture the responses and lived experiences of residents as to how coal mining influences water quality within the Naauwpoortspruit River in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Qualitative data on perceived water quality and associated health risks were obtained from focus group discussions. Quantitatively, we collected 18 water samples from Masakhane, Coalfield, and Boat Camp during both dry and wet seasons. Qualitative feedback showed that the residents perceived the water as discoloured, foul-smelling, and not safe, with frequent diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and skin irritations. The physicochemical analyses indicated a pH within the range of 7.17-7.35. Iron (Fe) ranged between 0.10-0.30 mg/L, manganese (Mn) within 0.00-0.04 mg/L, while aluminium (Al) ranged from 0.04 to 0.22 mg/L and sulphate (SO₄²⁻) within 143 to 188 mg/L. Aluminium and iron were found to exceed the permissible limits set by SANS 241:2015 at some sites. Microbiological testing showed significant contamination. Total coliform bacteria ranged from 555 to 920 CFU/100 mL, and faecal coliforms varied between 34 and 766 CFU/100 mL. Of these sampling sites, the Boat Camp site showed the highest level of faecal pollution. The study concluded that coal mining environment and related human activities have degraded the water quality of the Naauwpoortspruit River, presenting notable environmental and public health risks. It emphasized the urgent need for improved mine water management and more effective wastewater control

Guild structure and population dynamics of small mammal assemblages in suburban patches of KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld grassland within eThekwini

2026-07-01T00:00:00Z

Guild structure and population dynamics of small mammal assemblages in suburban patches of KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld grassland within eThekwini Mwelase, Zamawelase Immaculate The KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS) landscape is one of the Critically Endangered ecosystems that forms part of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany (MPA) biodiversity hotspot. It is a biodiversity hotspot which supports important assemblages of endemic fauna and flora and provides social and ecological services to the eThekwini assemblages. More than ~90% of this landscape has been completely altered and modified, and only ~0.1% is under statutory protection. To understand and improve conservation efforts for this threatened ecosystem, it’s important to understand the effects of anthropogenic and environmental factors on biodiversity in this vegetation type. The Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D’MOSS) initiative is one of the eThekwini efforts to conserve areas with high biodiversity value. Small mammals are key components in terrestrial ecosystems and their abundance and diversity are key bioindicators of ecosystem health, habitat quality, and the impacts of fragmentation. This study aimed to assess small mammal guild structure, species richness, diversity and population dynamics between D’MOSS and protected areas within this landscape. A Capture Mark Recapture (CMR) approach was used to monitor the seasonal dynamics of the native small mammal assemblages. Live trapping transects and H.B. Sherman™ live box traps were implemented inside and outside three protected areas (Krantzkloof Nature reserve, Giba Gorge Nature Reserve and Doornrug and Uitkomst Conservancy (reference site)) between July 2018 and June 2019. Over 16 586 trap nights, 890 unique individuals representing 11 small mammal species from 8 families and two Orders, were captured. The haul was dominated by rodent species. Mastomys natalensis (54%) and Rhabdomys dilectus (28%) suggesting that these species form the core of the small mammal assemblage in this threatened landscape. Local elevational gradients, regional variation and habitat management regimes (treatments) had a significant influence on total captures, trap success, minimum know alive (MKA), species richness and diversity Slope aspect, one of the under-surveyed environmental variables in small mammal studies significantly influenced total captures, trap success, MKA, and species richness, while seasonal variation significantly influenced total captures and MKA. Grassland condition significantly influenced total captures, MKA, and species richness. The body size of several small mammal species varied in response to changes in elevational gradients, slope aspect, seasonal variation, grassland