FIIRO signs pact with German companies on cassava.

FIIRO signs pact with German companies on cassava.The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), has signed a pact with two German companies – GIZ and BOSCH – to boost cassava production and processing. The Head of Corporate Communications of FIIRO, Mr Chris Olumuyiwa, said on Friday in Lagos in a statement. GIZ is a green innovation centre for agriculture and the food sector, while BOSCH is a specialist in the fabrication of machinery, power tools and household equipment. Olumuyiwa said the partnership would enable FIIRO to upscale development of innovative cassava processing technologies. more

Green tea ingredient may ameliorate memory impairment, brain insulin resistance, and obesity.

Green tea ingredient may ameliorate memory impairment, brain insulin resistance, and obesity. A new study involving mice, suggests that EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), the most abundant catechin and biologically active component in green tea, could alleviate high-fat and high-fructose (HFFD)-induced insulin resistance and cognitive impairment.more

New tool to distinguish between viral, bacterial infections.

New tool to distinguish between viral, bacterial infections. Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs, but overuse is leading to one of the world's most pressing health threats: antibiotic resistance. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center are developing a tool to help physicians prescribe antibiotics to patients who really need them, and avoid giving them to individuals who don't.more

Cassava in the Livestock Feed Industry.

Cassava in the Livestock Feed Industry. Cassava called Manihot esculenta, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. Cassava is the third-largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize. 

Cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. Cassava is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils and Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, while Thailand is the largest exporter of dried cassava. Cassava can be processed into various products such as garri,tapioca, cake,bread and flakes for human consumption,but the peels can be processed and fed to animals. 

 Cassava is used in most tropical areas for feeding pigs, cattle, sheep and poultry. The dried peel of cassava roots are fed to sheep and goats, and raw or boiled roots are mixed into a mash with protein concentrates such as maize, sorghum, groundnut, or oil palm kernel meal and mineral salts for livestock feeding. Research has shown that cassava provides good quality carbohydrate, which may be substituted for maize or barley and that cassava rations are especially suitable for swine, dairy cattle, and poultry. 

 Cassava cannot be used as the main feed stuff because of its deficiency in protein and vitamins, but must be supplemented with other feeds that are rich in the required elements. The composition of a compounded ration varies depending on the specie of the animal such as cattle, pigs, or poultry and the kind of production which includes dairy, meat, or eggs. 

Oil cakes are the main ingredients in the feed for cattle, while feed grains are the most important for pigs and poultry. more

Climate change, agriculture, and food security.

Climate change, agriculture, and food security. Recently 60 delegates from 22 Asian countries took part in a workshop organized by the United Nations in Manila to map out national adaptation plans or NAPs, which are the main vehicles of countries for climate change adaptation including accessing climate finance. This is quite significant in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of America from the Paris Agreement, which binds countries to fight climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so. Sunlight, temperature and rainfall are the main drivers of crop production;hence, agriculture is directly affected by climate change. But it should also be noted that agriculture also affects climate change as it is responsible for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, a major cause of global warming. About 25 percent of carbon dioxide emissions are produced by human practices, mainly deforestation, use of fossil-fuel-based fertilizers, and burning of plant materials. Likewise, most of the methane in the atmosphere comes from livestock, forest fires, irrigated rice cultivation, and waste products.more

Dog dies hours after owner gives her a treat.

Dog dies hours after owner gives her a treat. A local woman gives her dog a chew then hours later her beloved dog is dead. The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings about raw hide treats made from China but the product Laura Beveridge purchased is a no hide chew and made right here in the U.S. Beveridge says her nightmare began with a special treat for her special girl, Dumplin. "She was a chewer. She enjoyed chewing." "I read this label and the "safe" and "easily digestible" and I thought this is the right product." The chew she gave her Dumplin was made by Earth Animal. The No-Hide Chicken Chews" states it's "the safe rawhide alternative." Beveridge watched Dumplin chew while she was on a conference call. Minutes later, she was rushing her dog to the vet. "She threw up white foam all over and the airways noises changed. When they finally let me see her she was on a ventilator. I'm a respiratory therapist and when you see the ventilator, you know." Twelve hours after giving her the chew, Dumplin was gone. "I'm lost. The mornings are hard. You get up the routine is all about her." more

Unethical Breeding Is Creating Serious Health Problems for German Shepherds.

Unethical Breeding Is Creating Serious Health Problems for German Shepherds. German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds in the world, but their numbers have started to decline. New research suggests the decreasing demand for German Shepherds may have something to do with the breed’s propensity for health problems—likely the result of selective breeding for cosmetic traits. A relatively recent shift in the way German Shepherds are bred has been linked to the breed’s current predisposition to an array of health conditions, according to new research published this week in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. Compared to other breeds, German Shepherds are now disproportionately prone to musculoskeletal disorders, osteoarthritis, diarrhea, obesity, and behavioral problems. These findings should raise the alarm among breeders, but experts are skeptical that anything will be done to rectify the problem.more