Browsing by Author "Nyamwaro, S.O."
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Item Economic assessment of the performance of trypanotolerant cattle breeds in a pastoral production system in Kenya(2009) Maichomo, M.W.; Kosura, W.O.; Gathuma, J.M.; Ndungu, J.M.; Nyamwaro, S.O.Cattle are the major source of food security and income for pastoral farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. However, infectious and parasitic diseases remain a major constraint to improved cattle productivity in the region. The use of animal health economics to support decision making on cost-effective disease control options is increasingly becoming important in the developing world. Trypanotolerant indigenous Orma/zebu cattle in a trypanosomosis endemic area of Kenya were evaluated for economic performance using gross-margin analysis and partial-farm budgeting. Orma/zebu and SahiwaVzebu cross-bred cattle were exposed to similar husbandry practices and monitored for growth rate, incidence of common infections (trypanosomosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, East Coast Fever and helminthosis) and the cost of treatment assessed. Interview questionnaires were also used to assess the preference rating of the 2 breeds. Results indicated that incidence of infection was trypanosomosis 3 %, anaplasmosis 58 %, babesiosis 11 %, East Coast Fever 22 % and helminthosis 28 %, with no significant difference between breeds. The Orma/zebu and SahiwaVzebu breeds had comparable economic benefits, hence a pastoralist in Magadi division is likely to get similar returns from both breeds. This study therefore recommends adoption of not only the SahiwaVzebu but also the Orma/zebu breed for cattle improvement in trypanosomosis endemic areas and conservation of indigenous genetic resources.Item Financial Implications of Rearing Sheep and Goats under Natural Trypanosomosis Challenge at Galana Ranch, Kenya(2002) Irungu, P.; Nyamwaro, S.O.; Masiga, D.K.; Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute; Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute, PO Box 362, Kikuyu, KenyaA study to compare the profitability of rearing sheep and goats under natural trypanosomosis challenge was carried out on Galana ranch m south-eastern Kenya between July 1996 and October 1997. Seventy-nine male weaner sheep and 79 male weaner goats were monitored monthly for weight changes and fortnightly for trypanosomosis. The animals of each species were divided into two groups Group I was an untreated control, while group 2 was treated with Isometamidium chloride (Samonn) at 0.5 mg/ kg body weight every 3 months In both groups, trypanosome infections were detected by microscopy and treated With diminazene aceturate (Venben), at 3.5 mg/kg body weight, when the packed cell volume reached 17";', or below The profitability of each drug regime was expressed as the marginal revenue over the cost of trypanosomosis (MOT) There were greater losses occasioned by trypanosomosls m sheep than m goats. Animals of both species on chemoprophylaxis gave higher MOT values than those that received chemotherapy on diagnosis However, the MOT values for the chemoprophy-lactic regime were higher for sheep than for goats, suggesting that the greater weight gam by sheep more than compensated for the higher cost of maintaining them under high trypanosomosls challenge Thus, a Galana rancher would be better off keeping sheep rather than goats, other things being equal. The marginal revenue per dose of Samonn was lower than that of Venben for both species, suggesting that strategic use of Samorin timed to precede the peak incidence of trypanosomosls might be a better option to raise the overall profitability in sheep and goats
