No description available.

Llamas have provided, and continue to provide, fiber, meat, skins, fertilizer and transport for the Andean people. In addition, they are part of the traditional and religious culture of the Aymara and the Quechua. Both are currently unaware of the productive qualities of llamas, especially those related to meat production, which is the principle product responsible for generating greater income for farmers. For this reason, 554 llamas were evaluated from a total of 3,693 in 2005. The llamas came from T’olar and Pajonal grasslands in the Santiago de Machaca region of La Paz, Bolivia and represented males and females from four age categories (newborn, 1-2 years, juvenile, and adult). They were evaluated with the objective of determining the zoometric measurements of llamas fed on T’olar and Pajonal grasses. Evaluations were categorized according to gender and age group, while also applying descriptive statistics of zoometric measurements of llama anatomy including the head, neck, thorax, and abdomen regions, as well as height, weight, and fur thickness. The Pv measurement for T’olar fed llamas (64.4 kg) was higher than that of the Pajonal fed llamas (59.9 kg). With respect to gender, females (67.1 kg) were larger than males (53.0 kg). Adults were the largest age group (89.7 kg), followed by juveniles (85.9 kg), 1-2 years (58.7 kg) and newborns (34.1 kg). The T’olar llamas achieved better results than the Pajonal llamas. Furthermore, females were superior to males, most likely due to the large number of females as compared to males in the llamas. Zoometric measurements increased with age, generally reaching a statistically significant margin (P<0.01) between age groups. Growth was greatest between the newborn and juvenile groups but it ultimately slowed down afterwards.

This study was conducted in the Rural Academic Unit of Tiahuanaco, in the Ingavi province, in the department of La Paz. Three juvenile vicunas and three adult vicunas were used. Our objective was to observe the development of vicunas (Vicugna vicugna) fed with three types of hay (Bromus catharicus Phalaris tuberoisum and Medicago sativa) in stables. We obtained the following results: rectal temperature of 38.2ºC in juveniles and 38.6ºC in adults; heart rate of 68 beats/min in juveniles and 67 beats/min in adults; respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min in juveniles and 17 breaths/min in adults; femoral vein pulse of 70 pulses/min in juveniles and 64 pulses/min in adults; compartment movement of 7 movements/min 7 times in juveniles and 7 movements/min 7 times in adults. Measurements for apparent digestibility were: (MS) 78.8% in juveniles and 80.4% in adults; (MO) 74.2% in juveniles and 76.4% in adults; (PB) 85.2% in juveniles and 83.7% in adults; (EE) 83.2% in juveniles and 76.2% in adults; (FDN) 75.6% in juveniles and 73.8% in adults; (ELN) 81.2% in juveniles and 78.3% in adults; (NDT) 80.4% in juveniles and 77.7% in adults; (ED/Kcal) 353.8 grams in juveniles and 341.8 grams in adults. For metabolites en vicuna serum we obtained: total protein of 6.7 g/dl in juveniles and 7.7 g/dl in adults; albumin of 5.3 g/dl in juveniles and 5.7 g/dl in adults; creatinine of 1.3 mg/dl in juveniles and 1.5 mg/dl in adults; urea of 40.7 mg/dl in juveniles and 39.2 mg/dl in adults; glucose of 131.8 mg/dl in juveniles and 130.7 mg/dl in adults; cholesterol of 29 mg/dl in juveniles and 27.4 mg/dl in adults; triglycerides of 44.2 mg/dl in juveniles; GPT of 5.5 UI/I in juveniles and 5.1 UI/I in adults; GOT of 5.4 UI/I in juveniles and 5.1 UI/I in adults; calcium of 8.5 mg/dl in juveniles and 8.3 mg/dl in adults; phosphorus of 2.4 mg/dl in juveniles and 2.3 mg/dl in adults; magnesium of 19 mEq/L. Lastly, we observed a weight gain of 2.6 g/day in juveniles and 1.8 g/day in adults.

This study was carried out in the San Clemente community. The objective was to analyze the effect of using amaranth leaf flour in the creation of a diet for guinea pigs. The field work was done over a period of 12 months and was done in two phases: Development of the diet: this was done by growing the amaranth, cutting it, and dehydrating it until flour was obtained. Then, it was mixed into the diet in accordance with the pre-determined formula along with the other respective materials. Handling of guinea pigs: This was done in the shed of the San Clemente community after it had been re-conditioned and disinfected. The weaned guinea pigs were taken there for the study for a period of 2 months. A completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments was used. Each treatment had four repetitions. There was one experimental unit, which consisted of five guinea pigs. The data were evaluated via an analysis of variance, a Tukey test, and orthogonal comparisons. The variable of interest was the % of amaranth flour in a basic diet. The treatments were as follows: T0= Control diet with 0% amaranth flour; T1= 20% amaranth flour; T2= 40% amaranth flour; T3= 60% amaranth flour; T4= 80% amaranth flour; T5= Fresh amaranth with herbs from the community. Analyzed Variables: biweekly weight gain; monthly mortality; daily dry feed intake; production costs per treatment; and tasting. From the results, we concluded that the T1 diet and grass-feeding in the community were the best options since they presented the best results in weight gain and nutrient conversion. With regard to dry feed intake, T5 was consumed in the greatest quantities and thus had the highest production cost.

This study was performed in the Poroma community of the Oropeza Province, in the department of Chuquisaca. The Poroma community is characterized by a high poverty level among its members due to a number of different factors. Some of the major factors include: a restricted market, small farms, an absence of support systems, and a lack of support for agricultural development. This lack of support is seen in areas such as: research, roads, electricity, technical assistance, marketing systems, organization, and institutions that support rural development. Numerous studies on the production systems of farmers have described and analyzed the agricultural components but ignored the part livestock plays in the development of a rural production system. Due to this situation, this study has placed priority on the study of the livestock production system in the Poroma community. The objectives of this study are: to characterize and identify the components of the livestock production system; to establish the internal relations of the livestock production system; and to establish the relation between the livestock system and other systems present in the community. In order to accomplish the mentioned objectives, the participative research method was applied. The methods used are: Macro planning (participative prediagnosis) followed by case studies (micro planning). The techniques used to collect data are characterized as participatory. With these, we plan to involve farmers in the study. Some of the most important things are family and community workshops, participant observation, and informal discussions. The study investigated components of the livestock system such as: management, food, health, and production. Animal handling was observed to be completely free, like mating or birth, with men intervening very little in comparison to practices such as castration, branding, and grazing. The predominant race is the Creole. Delivery times are concentrated between the months of June and August (dry season) and November to December (rainy season). The main food source is the mountain where native species are used in regeneration. In general, the animals are browsers and the supplements provided are salt and bran. Only a few families control the health of their animals while the majority of families don’t control their health at all. This means that many problems exist with animal disease. The most common diseases in animals are: cattle: foot and mouth disease, anthrax, and diarrhea; sheep and goats: coenurosis; mules: angina; pigs: external parasites and cysticercosis; and birds: diarrhea. With respect to external parasites, the most severe in all the species are ticks and lice. The infrastructure for the animals in this area is not recommended because it does not offer the health conditions for their rusticity, let alone protect them from inclement weather. The products of the livestock system such as milk, meat, leather, manure, etc. are more commonly used for family consumption than for sale. The revenue earned by community members for this service is regular and is obtained at certain times of the year. Generally, they receive it at the beginning and end of each year as well as at fairs that are held in the area.

An expert system for dairy herd reproductive management for microcomputer was developed using an expert system shell and Turbo Pascal. A dairy extension reproductive specialist provided information for the system and empirical support was provided by research. The expert system initially examines days open, days to first insemination, percent of possible estruses observed, and number of breedings per conception to determine whether a problem exists. Interpretations ranging from “excellent” to “severe” were established for each parameter. “Excellent” and “adequate” interpretations correspond to a 12 to 13 mo calving interval. The system then selects for evaluation one of three areas that influences days open; days to first insemination, efficiency of detection of estrus, or conception percentage. Once an area has been selected for further evaluation, the expert system utilizes information from the user and from DHIA reproductive management reports developed by the Dairy Records Processing Center in Raleigh, NC. The reproductive reports are captured in a computer file and read by the expert system to identify problems of conception categorized by production, parity, service, days in milk, breed, and service sire. In addition, questions are asked by the expert system to isolate problems in data accuracy, semen handling, AI technique, detection of estrus, signs of estrus, and other management areas. Recommendations and suggestions are given. The expert system was designed to be used by extension personnel who may not have extensive knowledge of computers or reproductive management. The compiled program runs on an IBM compatible personal computer with 640K memory. Ten Virginia DHIA herds with conception problems were evaluated by the expert system and the extension specialist. Of 100 potential problem areas, the expert system and extension specialist identified 47, agreeing on 85% of them. Most discrepancies resulted from the expert applying a more restrictive standard when values were close to a preselected threshold. / Master of Science

No description available.

No description available.

M.S.

Sustainable agriculture constitutes an internationally recognized critique of conventional agricultural practices. The criteria defining sustainable agriculture are diverse and, in some cases, contradictory. However, proponents of sustainable agriculture do not aggressively question such diversity in the movement. This study attempts to highlight the variation in subjective meanings attached to sustainable agriculture, reflected in its goal to improve quality of life. The social construct of gender makes a difference in how these farmers define quality of life. This social construction in turn affects participation in the sustainable agriculture movement. At the root of these gendered differences is that life goals and daily experiences for men farmers within the family have changed significantly as their involvement in the movement has intensified. Much of what men emphasize in describing quality of life reflects the values the sustainable agriculture movement itself espouses; the collective identity of the sustainable agriculture movement resonates with these male farmers. For their wives, descriptions of quality of life are largely entwined with their multiple and highly elastic gendered roles and responsibilities on the farm, in the household, and in paid and unpaid work in the community, and much less with their involvement in the movement. Women’s life experiences on the farm and in the community are different from their husbands’ experiences, lending a distinctively gendered shape to quality of life. They report indicators of quality of life outside of the movement’s collective identity boundaries. Because women’s unique contribution to the farm and family are not institutionally recognized and addressed by the sustainable agriculture movement, the collective identity of the movement is gender-specific, reflecting a male normative. / Master of Science