Browsing by Author "Mwenda, Evelyn Nanjeke"

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    Nutritional assessment of three baled rice straw varieties intended for use as ruminant feed in Namibia
    (Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2021) Madzingira, Oscar; Hepute, Venaune; Mwenda, Evelyn Nanjeke; Kandiwa, Erick; Mushonga, Borden; Mupangwa, John F.
    This study determined and compared the proximate and chemical composition of Angola, IRGA 418 and SUPA rice straw varieties harvested and baled in 2016 and 2017. In both 2016 and 2017, SUPA straw had the highest dry matter (DM) content (960.7 ± 0.50 g/kg and 939.4 ± 0.10 g/kg), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (575.2 ± 9.90 g/kg and 594.7 ± 9.00 g/kg), acid detergent fibre (ADF) levels (374.7 ± 6.30 g/kg and 379.9 ± 9.90 g/kg) and cellulose (CL) content. Angola straw had the highest crude protein (CP) content (39.1 ± 2.00 g/kg, p < 0.05; 60.7 ± 2.70 g/kg) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) concentration (p < 0.05) in both years. Organic matter (OM), hemicellulose (HC), ash, fat and mineral content varied with year in all rice straw varieties. Angola straw had the lowest metabolisable energy (ME) of the three straw varieties. All straw varieties were deficient in at least one or more essential nutrient components. Nutritional and chemical composition varied with rice straw variety, year of cultivation and baling. Therefore, pre-treatment to improve digestibility and supplementation of deficient nutrients is recommended for effective use as ruminant feed. IRGA 418 straw was recommended as the best choice for ruminant feeding based on higher digestibility (IVOMD) and ME values
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    A retrospective study of carcass and organ condemnations at a beef abattoir in Namibia
    (2018) Madzingira, Oscar; Chinyoka, Simbarashe; Yule, Justin; Mwenda, Evelyn Nanjeke; Kandiwa, Erick; Samkange, Alaster; Mushonga, Borden
    This retrospective study investigated the causes of beef carcass and organ condemnations and the associated financial losses at a high throughput abattoir in Katima Mulilo, Namibia, from 2009 to 2013. Post-mortem meat inspection records from September 2009 to July 2013 that were kept at the abattoir were analyzed. Of the 26,957 cattle slaughtered during the study period, 59 whole carcasses, 13,884 livers, 13,161 lungs, 406 hearts, 33 kidneys, 265 pluck, 563 spleens, 163 heads, 160 tongues and 79 intestines were condemned. Whole carcasses were condemned mainly due to generalized Cysticercus bovis cysts (40.7%) and cachexia (39%). Among the organs, livers (51.5%) and lungs (48.8%) had the highest levels of condemnation. Liver flukes and hydatid cysts were responsible for most of the liver condemnations (65% and 17.1%, respectively), while hydatid cysts (63.4%) and abscesses (15.4%) were responsible for most of the lung condemnations. Fecal contamination (68.7%) and pericarditis (19.7%) were identified as the major cause of heart condemnations. Fecal contamination (43.6%, 32.5%), abscesses (41.7%, 45%) and C. bovis cysts (14.7%, 15%) were responsible for head and tongue condemnations, respectively. About 7.5% of the tongues were also condemned for floor contamination. Abscesses (49.4%), C. tenuicollis cysts (34.2%), nodular worm (13.9%) and floor contamination (2.5%) were responsible for condemnations of intestines. Fecal contamination (98.4%), floor contamination (0.9%) and splenitis (0.7%) were responsible for condemnations of spleens. Nephritis was the only recorded reason for the condemnation of kidneys. Total monetary losses due to carcass and organ condemnations over the study period were estimated at US$143,711.08. Although there was a 0.2% proportional condemnation of whole carcasses, these were responsible for 17.5% of the revenue losses (US$25,149.44). About 65.0% and 30.5% of the rest of the revenue losses were due to liver and lung condemnations, respectively. The rest of the causes were collectively responsible for only 3.71% of the overall revenue losses. Zoonotic parasites, C. bovis, fasciolosis and hydatid cysts were identified as the major causes of carcass and organ condemnations constituting a major public health concern. Considering the size of the local economy, the revenue losses due to carcass and organ condemnations were quite high. This necessitates education of the stakeholders and the general public on the health and economic implications conveyed by this study.