Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola
haemorrhagic fever) is a severe, often fatal
illness, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. It
is one of the world’s most virulent diseases.The
infection is transmitted by direct contact with
the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected
animals or people. Severely ill patients require
intensive supportive care. During an outbreak,
those at higher risk of infection are health
workers, family members and others in close
contact with sick people and deceased patients.
Ebola virus disease outbreaks can devastate
families and communities, but the infection can
be controlled through the use of recommended
protective measures in clinics and hospitals, at
community gatherings, or at home.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
How to make money from sheep production
A productive and well managed farm can provide suitable space for profitably raising sheep, With productive sheep and close control of expenses, a profit is possible. Sheep produce income from the sale of meat, wool and milk. The highest-quality meat is produced from lambs, sheep under one year of age. Most sheep are sheared once per year to produce wool. Sheep’s milk is a specialty product often used for cheese production.
Lambing Season
Successful marketing of sheep products is critical for a profitable sheep operation. The price for lamb is often higher in the spring than during other times of the year. Some sheep producers schedule fall lambing to produce market lambs by spring. However, only certain breeds of sheep such as Dorset, Rambouillet and Polypay, lamb during the fall. Most breeds give birth to lambs during the late winter or early spring, producing market lambs for summer or fall sales.
Twins
Ewes normally give birth to one to three lambs per year. Most ewes successfully raise two lambs. Twins provide a larger profit than single lambs. The ability to produce twins rather than single lambs is partially inherited. Ewes who are a twin or triplet tend to produce more than one lamb. Careful selection of breeding ewes is necessary for a profit.
Marketing Plan
It is essential to have a marketing plan. Sheep producers sell sheep by auction or directly to slaughterhouses, restaurants or retail outlets. Some producers sell lamb at farmer’s markets. Sheep producers raising purebred sheep sell breeding stock to other producers. A market is necessary for selling wool and sheep’s milk.
Labor
During certain times of the year, raising sheep is labor intensive. During lambing season, ewes and newborn lambs require close observation and assistance. If sheep are consuming hay, daily labor is required to feed the hay. Foot trimming, shearing, ear tagging, tail docking and other management practices require skilled labor.
Feed
Feed is one of the largest expenses for a sheep- raising operation. Pasture and hay provide most of the feed for the ruminant animals. Small acreage doesn’t allow the production of large amounts of feed. For a profit, it is necessary to find inexpensive sources of good-quality hay or suitable pasture for grazing.
Protection
Sheep require protection from predators. Coyotes and stray dogs kill unprotected sheep. Guard dogs, electric fences and close supervision help keep sheep safe. A sound healthcare program with necessary vaccinations keeps the sheep healthy and productive.
How farmers can increase their farm productivity
Use improved Tools and Implements: 
Farming is no longer practiced using simple but rather ineffective tools (such as hoes, cutlasses, axes, etc.) that made agriculture tedious and production low. Technology has ushered in tractors, hand-operated planters, wheel barrows, harrows, hand-operated fertilizer drills, combined harvesters which have increased agricultural productivity. Farmers need to be up-to-date on the latest implements and how they can help increase agricultural productivity.
Soil Improvement:
Different crops require different soil nutrients to yield productivity. For instance some soils that support the growth of groundnut may not be good for rice. Science and technology provides us with knowledge about soil requirements. Fertilisers also maintain soil fertility and boost yield. Knowledge of various ways of improving soil quality is important for farmers.
Protect your crops:
There are now herbicides and pesticides which protect crops from weeds and pests that reduce yield. Examples of pesticides are Simazine and Round-up (used in rice cultivation). Pesticides include Gamalin 20 (used to control some cocoa pests) and Aldrex- T (used for seed dressing cereals).
Crop and Animal Improvement:
There are improved varieties of plants and breeds of animals. For instance, modern technology of artificial insemination has brought about a new breed of cows by crossing the exotic Friesian breed (good for milk production) and the disease resistant White Fulani Cow. The offspring is a good milk producer that’s highly resistant to unfavorable weather conditions.
Animal Health:
Veterinary doctors specialize
in the prevention and treatment of animal
diseases. This is possible because of the
knowledge of veterinary medicine.
Irrigation:
Modern irrigation technology has made the availability of water easier. Various irrigation equipments (like pumps, dams and sprinklers) have been designed. Nigeria has a River Basin and Rural Technology Development Authorities that uses irrigation as a means of boosting food production.
Transportation, Processing and Storage:
Modern Science has made it easy for farm
products to be transported to different parts of
the country. For instance, there are
refrigerated trucks used to transport fish and
meat. Famers also have means of preserving
their harvests. There are also chemicals used
to increase the shelf lives of produce. Today
there are palm oil mills, rice mills and tomato
processing plants unlike the olden days when
most of produce processing was done manually.
There are now improved bins, silos, rhombus
for the efficient storage of farm produce.
Farming is no longer practiced using simple but rather ineffective tools (such as hoes, cutlasses, axes, etc.) that made agriculture tedious and production low. Technology has ushered in tractors, hand-operated planters, wheel barrows, harrows, hand-operated fertilizer drills, combined harvesters which have increased agricultural productivity. Farmers need to be up-to-date on the latest implements and how they can help increase agricultural productivity.
Soil Improvement:
Different crops require different soil nutrients to yield productivity. For instance some soils that support the growth of groundnut may not be good for rice. Science and technology provides us with knowledge about soil requirements. Fertilisers also maintain soil fertility and boost yield. Knowledge of various ways of improving soil quality is important for farmers.
Protect your crops:
There are now herbicides and pesticides which protect crops from weeds and pests that reduce yield. Examples of pesticides are Simazine and Round-up (used in rice cultivation). Pesticides include Gamalin 20 (used to control some cocoa pests) and Aldrex- T (used for seed dressing cereals).
Crop and Animal Improvement:
There are improved varieties of plants and breeds of animals. For instance, modern technology of artificial insemination has brought about a new breed of cows by crossing the exotic Friesian breed (good for milk production) and the disease resistant White Fulani Cow. The offspring is a good milk producer that’s highly resistant to unfavorable weather conditions.
Animal Health:
Veterinary doctors specialize
in the prevention and treatment of animal
diseases. This is possible because of the
knowledge of veterinary medicine.Irrigation:
Modern irrigation technology has made the availability of water easier. Various irrigation equipments (like pumps, dams and sprinklers) have been designed. Nigeria has a River Basin and Rural Technology Development Authorities that uses irrigation as a means of boosting food production.
Transportation, Processing and Storage:
Modern Science has made it easy for farm
products to be transported to different parts of
the country. For instance, there are
refrigerated trucks used to transport fish and
meat. Famers also have means of preserving
their harvests. There are also chemicals used
to increase the shelf lives of produce. Today
there are palm oil mills, rice mills and tomato
processing plants unlike the olden days when
most of produce processing was done manually.
There are now improved bins, silos, rhombus
for the efficient storage of farm produce.16 Reasons why pigs make best pets
- They’ve got great style.
- They’re adventurous.
- They’re inquisitive.
- They’re top-notch loafers.
- They’ve got infectiously cheerful dispositions.
- They’re super smart.
- They enjoy the finer things in life.
- They make fast friends.
- They’re expert snugglers.
- They’re always down for a girls’ night in.
- They SAVE LIVES.
- They’re loyal and affectionate.
- They’re mischievous.
So be prepared to be kept busy.
- When they’re babies, they are literal angels.
- And if it’s the right match for you…
- They can be your new best friend.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Horrible sea creatures, Are they really existing?
The Blobfish was recently named the world’s ugliest animal and for good reason. This gnarly looking fish inhabits the deep waters off the coasts of mainland Australia and Tasmania, as well as the waters of New Zealand. Are you ready to bust out the Go Pro camera to hunt down and find this little guy?
Another hollow beauty, the Ghost Shrimp only has color when it eats something colorful. It only eats plant based foods. It resides in lakes and rivers throughout the central portion of the United States. They are as clear as the glass aquariums thanks to their semi translucent shells.
The Blind Lobster is also called the Dinochelus ausubeli, which means terrible and fearful in Greek. The new species belongs to the Thaumastochelopsis group, which was represented by only four specimens. The Census of Marine Life collected it at 300 meters.< Br>
The Jeweled Umbrella Squid was found 1,650 feet beneath the North Atlantic Ocean. The eyes on this distinct beauty are mismatched. One is bigger than the other which helps with scoping it’s prey in the darkness. The sea creature is known to get pretty large in size; 119 centimeters total in length.
The Sea Angel is normally seen swimming in groups and is classified into six families. The sea slugs are also labeled as “cliones” and was discovered in 2005 by the Census of Marine Life at about 1,148 feet under the ocean. The sea angel is actually a naked snail.
The Yeti Crab is new to science and belongs to a new family of crustaceans. It is related to lobsters, crabs and shrimps. The hairlike setae provides a nutritional source and hosts mats of chemosynthetic bacteria. The Yeti crab is also apart of the Kiwaidae family.
The Young Ice Fish has no red blood cells and it’s blood is filled with anti-freeze. The unique underwater creature is adapted to the cold waters of Antarctica continental shelf where it resides.
The vampire squid shares similarities with the squid and octopus. It is a deep sea cephalopod found throughout the tropical oceans in the world. The phylogenetic relict is the only known survivor of it’s order, Vampyromorphida.
The deformed looking fish washed up on the Brazilian beach. It’s fins appear to be a cross between legs and wings making it one bizarre discovery. The “Longnose Batfish” uses it’s strong pectoral and pelvic as hands and feet. It is a poor swimmer.
The albino, and one eyed shark was first discovered as a fetus inside of it’s mother in the Sea of Cortez. Many questioned the legitimacy of this cyclops shark but scientist have confirmed it is real. Thanks to a congenital condition called “cyclopia”, the 22 inch long fetus has one eyed in the front of his head.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
News update: A deadly pig disease has the U.S scrambling for solution
A deadly disease is spreading rapidly through the nation’s pig population, killing hogs by the millions and posing a major threat to the U.S. pork industry. Called Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, or PEDv, it’s as nasty as it sounds: it causes vomiting and diarrhea in piglets and is nearly always fatal. Pre-weaning it has a 100 percent mortality rate.
Karen Richter, president of the National Pork Board, calls PEDv ”one of the most serious and devastating diseases our pig farmers have faced in decades.”
In recent months, the federal government, along with research and industry experts, have ramped up their efforts to contain the disease. Here’s what you need to know about the continued threat:
When did this become a thing?
PEDv is a global issue, but the first documented in the U.S. was discovered a year ago. Since then, it’s spread fast, hitting 30 states and killing as estimated 8 million pigs, or a full 10 percent of the nation’s herd. As Rodney “Butch” Baker, a swine biosecurity specialist at Iowa State University, explained to Reuters, “Something like a tablespoon of PEDv infected manure is roughly enough to infect the entire U.S. hog herd.”
The outbreak peaked this past March, and earlier this month the USDA pledged $26 million to combat the disease.
Can humans get it? No, just pigs. In the 40 or so years it’s been around, it’s never been transferred from animals to humans, and it’s likely to stay that way. According to the USDA, its presence in food won’t make pork-eaters sick.
