Browsing by Author "Lekule, F.P."

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Effect of slaughter weight on carcass characteristics and economics of pig production
(2000) Makauki, A.F.; Lekule, F.P.
A study to evaluate the effect of slllughter weight on carcass characteristics of pigs was conducted using twenty four Landrace X Large lMlite crossbred pigs. Twelve castrates and twelve gilts with average initial weight of 35 ±4.4 kg were randomly assigned to three targeted slllughter weights. Pigs were slllughtered at live weights of 60, 75 and 90 kg and measurements of carcass characteristics were taken. Cost effectiveness of each slaughter weight based on feed cost was determined. Slaughter weight of the pigs had significant (P < 0.05) influence on carcass characteristics. Increase of slaughter weight from 60 kg to 90 kg caused a rise in killing out percentage, loin eye area, carcass length and backfat thicknessjrom 65.0t069.1 %, 24 to 34crrt, 85.1 to 92.3 qnand2.2 to 3.3 cm, respectively. The proportion of kidney fat also increased with slllughter weight. Generally, the weights of carcassjoints, fillet muscle (M. psoas major), liver and kidney as percent of carcass weight decreased with increasing slaughter weight of the pigs (P< 0.05). Castrates had significantly heavier kidney fat and lighter shoulders than gilts but there was no signifi cant sex difference in killing out percentage, carcass length, weights of liver, kidney, fillet muscle, ham, loin and belly, back fat thickness and loin eye area. The slaughter weight of 60 kg was found to be more cost effective than the rest of the slaughter weights and was therefore recommended for areas where there is demand for lean meat.
Risk factors for prevalence of pig parasitoses in Mbeya Region, Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2015) Kabululu, M.L.; Ngowi, H.A.; Kimera, S.I.; Lekule, F.P.; Kimbi, E.C.; Johansen, M.V.
A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine risk factors for prevalence of common endo- and ectoparasites of pigs kept by smallholder farmers in Mbozi and Mbeya (Rural) districts of Mbeya Region, in Tanzania. A total of 482 pigs from 220 households of 16 villages, eight in each district were randomly selected and examined. Prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis was 11.5%, gastrointestinal nematodes 63.7% and ectoparasites 21.2% based on Ag-ELISA, McMaster technique and full body searches/ear scrapings, respectively. Nematode eggs identified were strongyles (Oesophagostomum spp. and Trichostrongylus spp.), Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis and Strongyloides ransomi with prevalence of 57.4%, 17.5%, 5.3% and 1.1%, respectively. Four groups of ectoparasites were identified, i.e. lice (Haematopinus suis), ticks (Rhipicephalus spp., Amblyomma spp., Haemaphysalis spp. and Boophilus spp.), fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) and mites (Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis and Demodex phylloides), with prevalence of 19.1%, 2.1%, 0.4%, and 1.2%, respectively. Pigs in Mbeya (Rural) District had higher odds for porcine cysticercosis (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: [1.22–5.55]). Poor pen hygiene and infrequent antiparasitic treatment were identified to be risk factors for prevalence of nematode infections (OR = 1.95 [1.09–3.52] and OR = 1.78 [1.06–2.94], respectively). The odds for high nematode burdens increased in cases of poor pen hygiene (OR = 4.20 [2.54–6.62]) and poor feed quality (OR = 3.7 [1.66–8.33]). Pigs not treated with antiparasitic drugs within the last three months had higher odds for ectoparasite (OR = 4.0 [1.78–9.09]) and lice infestations (OR = 8.33 [1.96–14.28]) than treated pigs. This study has shown that parasitoses constitute a major burden for smallholder pigs in Mbeya Region and major risk factors included infrequent antiparasitic treatment, poor pen hygiene and poor feed quality. Cost-effective intervention strategies are needed to improve pork production, secure pig welfare and ensure safe pork for human consumption.