New study shows that flat faced dogs have a higher risk of dystocia.

New study shows that flat faced dogs have a higher risk of dystocia. Any female giving birth can be affected by difficulties, and this applies to dogs just as it does humans. New research finds that flat faced brachycephalic dogs are the most likely breed types to encounter problems when giving birth. Compared with other crossbred bitches, French Bulldogs are 15.9 times more likely to have difficulty giving birth (dystocia). This finding forms part of a research project called VetCompass, which is led by the Royal Veterinary College, and has shed new light onto the risks associated with giving birth in dogs in the UK. VetCompass collects anonymized clinical information on over 6 million companion animals under veterinary care in the UK. This paper is the latest of over 25 VetCompass studies published so far and was a collaboration with clinicians from the Vets Now nationwide network of emergency veterinary clinics. The study investigated bitches presented with difficulty giving birth from among almost 20,000 bitches attending 50 Vets Now surgeries. Researchers found that out of 20,000 bitches receiving emergency veterinary care, 3.7 per cent of these were treated because of difficulties encountered giving birth. The most commonly affected breeds were the French Bulldog (15.9 times more likely), Boston Terrier (12.9 times more likely), Chihuahua (10.4 times more likely) and Pug (11.3 times more likely) more

How to convert egg shells to crockery.

How to convert egg shells to crockery. Disposable crockery made from eggshells could turn egg processing waste into a valuable commodity.

Eggshells are normally somewhat of an annoyance if found on your plate, but what if they formed the plate itself, or even the cutlery? 

 The idea is not quite as strange as it may sound. Martina Zupan, a fourth-year product design student at the U.K.’s Edinburgh Napier University, has come up with a way of making eggshells into a range of disposable tableware which she calls her “Collegtion.”  

 The making of products from egg shells is a waste to wealth project as many landfills are filled with tons each year. 

A study shows that U.K. alone produces more than 75,000 tons of eggshell waste each year.

 At least 17,000 tons of waste eggshell was disposed of in landfill last year and, leaving sustainability to one side, this represents a cost to egg processors or anyone else having to dispose of eggshell waste in this way. 

 The processing of egg shell to other products have been explored in various industries such as agriculture,building, fashion,creative design and art work. Read How to convert egg shells to crockery. more

How a Ugandan Woman Became a Millionairess from Piggery.

How a Ugandan Woman Became a Millionairess from Piggery.RACHAEL Mubiru was tired of being a jobless housewife with no income. The trials of lacking an income are what drove her to venture into commercial farming. Today, she is practicing piggery and poultry farming, ventures that have turned her into a millionaire. Mubiru says she started piggery with local breeds but acquired exotic breeds after she watched President Yoweri Museveni on television encouraging farmers to turn to modern farming. more

Banker quits job to be a millionaire pig farmer.

Banker quits job to be a millionaire pig farmer.Martin was a Manager with Standard Chartered Bank before he quit the job to pursue an entrepreneurial passion in pig farming. Having been raised on the proceeds of pig farming as a young boy, he decided to leave the world of suits and ties to exploit the lucrative potentials of the pig business. And his bet paid off! Banker quits job to be a millionaire pig farmer. #banker Martin sells about 20 pigs every month and has gradually grown his business to a current stock of 200 pigs, which he often raises to 500 when the market demand increases. According to this Business Daily Africa article, his current total wealth – calculated from the worth of his pig stock – stands at nearly 2 million Kenyan Shillings (roughly $23,000). Banker quits job to be a millionaire pig farmer. #pigs. He plans to multiply this wealth eight fold by 2015 and believes this is possible because the demand and market for pigs is grossly undersupplied. more

Irrigation system that can tell when farm soil is dry .

Irrigation system that can tell when farm soil is dry. Students and a lecturer at Meru University of Science and Technology have developed a sensor-based automatic irrigation system. The innovation is aimed at reducing the labour cost and amount of water wasted in overhead and furrow irrigation methods. A solar-powered intelligent irrigation system is what Kenya needs to achieve food security and conserve water. The sensors in the system that we developed detect when the soil is dry so that the system can release water to crops,” said Maitethia, adding that once enough water has been channeled to the crops the system automatically closes the supply.more

Catfish lifts driver from poverty.

Catfish lifts driver from poverty. As a driver, Francis Mwangi could not make enough to sustain himself and his family, who depended on him. Even his own father ran away from their home in Mathari, Nyeri County, when he could not repay debts that had accrued in the family. Then Mwangi attended a training programme for farmers about fish farming and he decided to give it a try. He decided to risk by depositing Sh65,000 with the fisheries company and had a pond dug to accommodate his first batch of catfish. He says neighbours would laugh at him, wondering how he could just give away money. To the naysayers’ dismay, after five and a half months, the first harvest earned Mwangi Sh300,000, which shocked even the locals. Each kilo of fish is sold for Sh200 and some of the fish grow to as heavy as three kilogrammes. more

Adjusting sow nutrition in key stages of transition.

Adjusting sow nutrition in key stages of transition.New research and the development of an advanced nutritional programme have confirmed that improved sow nutrition at key stages in the breeding cycle will help improve birth weights and piglet vitality. Larger litter sizes challenge piglet livability,as more piglets can result in longer and more difficult farrowing for the sow and less litter uniformity. Small piglets in particular are more at risk of pre-weaning mortality. Improving sow nutrition around parturition, in the transition phase from gestation to lactation, can have a significant impact on piglet livability. The research programme has led to the development of Livelle Transition feeding strategy. This breakthrough in sow nutrition can help the sow in supporting larger litters, from birth to weaning. more