• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.265-273
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• 2009

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to identify risk factors and clinical signs associated with parasitic helminth infections of cattle in Mymensignh district of Bangladesh. A nonrandom convenience sampling method was used to select 138 animals from 40 farmers/herds. The eggs per gram of faeces (epg) for nematodes and trematodes were determined by McMaster and Stoll's methods respectively. Animal-level and herd-level data were recorded by means of a questionnaire. Multi-collinearity amongst explanatory variables were assessed using $2{\times}2{\times}\;X^2$ test and one variable in a pair was dropped if $P{\leq}0.05$ formultiple logistic regression models. Association study between outcome and explanatory variables was conducted using classification tree, random forests and multiple logistic regression. A positive epg was considered as infected. Analyses were performed using $STATA^{(R)}$, version 8.0/Intercooled and $R^{(R)}$, Version 2.3.0. Seventy eight percent of the cattle were found to be infected with at least one type of helminth. Twenty four pairs of combinations of explanatory variables showed significant associations. Male animals (OR=3.3, P=.006, 95% CI=1.4, 7.7) were associated with significantly increased prevalence of nematode infection. Female cattle of the study area are mostly cross-breed, kept indoor, fed relatively good diet and not used for draught purpose. Males are used for draught purpose thereby more exposed to nematode infective stage and provided with relatively poor diet. So stressed male cattle may become more susceptible to nematode infection. All of the three statistical techniques selected gender and lumen motility as most important variables in association with nematode infection in cattle. The result of this survey can only be extrapolated to the periurban cattle population of traditional management system.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.214-230
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• 2022

Loss and damage have become a vital contemporary issue in climate change studies and actions in developing countries. However, studies are scant on this in the fisheries sector around the world. In Bangladesh, there is no study on the loss and damage in fisheries dependent communities. This study assesses economic and non-economic loss and damage to coastal shrimp farms due to cyclone Bulbul in Gabura Union of Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira district, using a mixed method approach. Results show that all shrimp farms' dependent communities are affected by cyclone Bulbul to some extent. About 14%, 57%, and 29% of the farms were totally, heavily and moderately damaged due to farm inundation and dyke damage. The estimated mean loss and damage per shrimp farm was worth USD 4,633. Around 31% and 72% of the farms' fencing nets and traps were lost, which was worth USD 333 per farm. There were also loss and damage to other resources such as houses, solar panels, livestock and agricultural crops where the estimated mean loss and damage per household was worth USD 3,170. This study reported that the rich shrimp farmers encountered proportionately more economic loss and damage than their poor counterparts. However, this does not mean that the poor suffered less. The current study found a range of non-economic loss and damage in different aspects of the shrimp farmers' household members such as unbearable mental pain, deterioration of health, physical injuries, disabilities, etc. and access to services (e.g., inadequate food, lack of safe drinking water, lack of medical facilities, disruption of education systems), social infrastructure (e.g., damage of roads and markets) and disturbance of cultural functions. The findings suggest that urgent short- and long-term actions may be taken to save the aquaculture farms and dependent livelihoods from economic and non-economic loss and damage to cyclones in future.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 2023

Background: Reproductive management practices play crucial roles to maximize the reproductive performance of cows, and thus contribute to farm profitability. We aimed to assess the reproductive management of cows currently practiced in the dairy farms in an urban farming system. Methods: A total of 62 dairy farms were randomly selected considering all size of farms such as small (1-5 cattle), medium (6-20 cattle) and large farms (> 20 cattle) from selected areas of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. The reproductive management-related parameters viz. estrus detection, breeding method, pregnancy diagnosis, dry cow and parturition management, vaccination and treatment of reproductive problems etc. were obtained in a pre-defined questionnaire during the farm visit. Results: The visual observation method was only used (100.0%; 62/62) for estrus detection irrespective of size of the farms; while farmers observed cows for estrus 4-5 times a day, but only for 20-60 seconds each time. Regardless of farm size, 89.0% (55/62) farms used artificial insemination (AI) for breeding the cows. Intriguingly, all farms (100.0%) routinely checked the cows for pregnancy at 35-40 days post-breeding using rectal palpation technique by registered veterinarian. However, only 6.5% (4/62) farms practiced dry cow management. Notably, all farms (100.0%) provided nutritional supplements (Vit D, Ca and P) during late gestation. However, proper hygiene and cleanliness during parturition was not practiced in 77.4% (48/62) farms; even though 96.7% (60/62) farms treated cows by registered veterinarian for parturition-related problems. Conclusions: While farmers used AI service for breeding and timely check their cows for pregnancy; however, they need to increase observation time (30 minutes/ observation, twice in a day: early morning and early night) for estrus detection, consider dry cow management and ensure hygienic parturition for maximizing production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.192-195
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• 1997

Thirty adults Desi and Khaki Campbell ducks were distributed to 6 farmers of Chakcharpur village of Mymensingh district. These ducks were subjected 3 types of mating e.g. Desi ${\times}$ Desi, Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Khaki Campbell and Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi-having 10 ducks (male : female = 1 : 4) in each mating group. Each mating group was then divided into two having 5 ducks(male : female = 1 : 4) and distributed to 2 farmers. After collecting eggs from each mating category, these were hatched by broody hens from which a total of 90 day old ducklings, 30 from each genotype were raised from birth to 90 days after the onest of laying. Although the weight of the day old chicks were similar in all genotypes (40-43 g), body weight was the highest (p <0.01) for Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi (1,543) before the onset of laying followed by Khaki Campbell (1,552 g) and Desi (1,448 g) ducks. Khaki Campbell attained maturity at an earlier (p < 0.01) age (147 days) followed by Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi, (154 days) and Desi (161 days) ducks. Khaki Campbell laid maximum (p < 0.01) number of eggs (46) compared to Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi, (30) and Desi (18) ducks 90 days after the onset of laying. However, eggs were heavier (p < 0.01) in Desi (61.9) ducks compared to other genotypes. Fertility and hatchability were also higher in Desi ducks than the other two genotypes. Mortality was also lover in Desi ducks (3.33%) followed by Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi (6.66%) and Khaki Campbell (16.66%) ducks. The results presented here indicated the superiority of Desi ducks over the other two genotypes with respect to egg weight, fertility, hatchability and mortality under village condition. Pure and crossbreds, on the other hand, were heavier at sexual maturity at relatively younger age and laid more eggs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1586-1590
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• 2004

An experiment was carried out with day-old "Sonali" (♂RIR$\times$♀Fayoumi) chicks to investigate the efficacy of locally made low cost brooders for brooding chicks in rural areas. Three types of indigenous brooders viz. charcoal, haricane and sawdust brooders were used for brooding chicks throughout the experimental period of 28 days. The efficiency of the brooders was observed in respect of their ability to maintain temperature, fluctuation in temperature during operation and cost effectiveness. Following initial trial of temperature maintenance for 48 h, the chicks were put under the brooder stoves and brooded up to 28 days. The experimental birds were fed on chick starter diet. Maintenance of temperature with sawdust brooders was found satisfactory and optimum for brooding the chicks at different stages of brooding and at the same time involved least cost for brooding in comparison with charcoal and haricane brooders which did not perform well in generating heat necessary for brooding and were not economically feasible for poor farmers. On the other hand, performance of charcoal brooders was better in respect of temperature maintenance during initial stage (when the brooder was started) but the temperature fluctuated rapidly, whereas fluctuation of temperature was gradual in sawdust brooders. Body weight gain and feed conversion were best in sawdust brooders. Survivability was highest in sawdust brooders and lowest in haricane brooders. Sawdust brooders may be appropriate for brooding chicks in rural areas, where electricity is not available.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.435-438
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• 1992

Data were collected on productive and reproductive performance of different $F_1$ crossbred cows (Deshi cows joined by A.I. to Sindhi, Sahiwal, Jersey or Holstein-Friesian Bull semen) reared by farmers in and around the Bangladesh Agricultural University campus at Mymensingh. The traits considered were birth weight, age at first heat, age at first calving, gestation length, post-partum heat period, milk yield, lactation length, dry period and calving interval. Data were analyzed statistically using a completely randomized design and Duncan's Multiple Range Test to compare and determine the significance of between individual group means. It was observed that the Holstein $\times$ Deshi had the highest birth weight (21.4 kg) followed by Sahiwal (17.6 kg), Jersey (16.7 kg) and Sindhi (16.1 kg). Shortest age at first heat (854 and 920 days) and age at first calving (1002 and 1201 days) were found for the Jersey $\times$ Deshi and Holstein $\times$ Deshi crosses respectively. The post-partum heat period were significantly different between breeds with Jersey and Holstein sired calves having the shortest intervals. There was no difference in the gestation length of the four crosses. Holstein $\times$ Deshi and Jersey $\times$ Deshi cows gave the highest milk yields due to longer lactation periods and higher daily milk production. Similarly, Holstein $\times$ Deshi and Jersey $\times$ Deshi crosses had significantly shorter dry periods and Jersey $\times$ Deshi had a shorter calving interval. From this study it may be concluded that exotic genotypes such as Holstein-Friesian and Jersey can perform very well under rural conditions in Bangladesh.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2008

Excessive growth of phytoplankton is a common and severe problem in intensively farmed pangasiid catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) culture ponds. It can lead to cyanobacterial blooms, reduced fish growth, bad-tasting fish flesh, and lower market demand. To investigate how to manage undesirable phytoplankton growth, we evaluated three stocking strategies in nine rural fishponds (0.020-0.022 ha) owned by various farmers: a pangasiid catfish mono culture (treatment 1, $T_1$), and pangasiid catfish-silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) polycultures at two stocking ratios of 1:1 (treatment 2, $T_2$) and 2:1 (treatment 3, $T_3$). The total density of all ponds was approximately 30,000 fishes/ha. Monoculture ($T_1$) resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.05) nutrient levels (nitrate and phosphate) in ponds than did polyculture ($T_2$ and $T_3$). Nutrient loads increased with culture time, resulting in increased growth of phytoplankton, including Cyanophyceae (9 genera), Chlorophyceae (15 genera), Bacillariophyceae (8 genera), and Euglenophyceae (3 genera). The introduction of silver carp as a co-species helped to regulate phytoplankton growth and to improve the water quality of pangasiid catfish culture ponds.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.401-412
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• 2000

Like other livestock, monogastric animals are essential components of the farming systems in the tropical countries. Pigs, chicken and ducks are by far the most important animals in the culture of the peoples of developing countries in the tropics. Traditionally these animals are raised in small farms and they are also the bulk producers of meat, eggs etc. in the tropics. In many countries the farmers of these small farms are unable to meet the requirement set by financial institution and other loan giving agencies for agricultural loan. Thus, the small farmers can get neither the opportunity to generate sufficient income to support the family nor to extend the livestock activities. The production systems are characterized by small number of animals with no or minimal inputs, low outputs and periodic destruction of animals by disease. Typically the litter size or flocks are small in number with each household containing 5-6 pigs and 7-10 poultry. Animals are owned by individual households and mostly maintained under a scavenging systems with little or no inputs for housing, feeding or health care. Because of the nature of this production system, productivity of these animals is rather low. The low level of inputs is due to a lack of capital and a low risk oriented outlook. The feed resource base for monogastric is scavenging and consists of household waste, roots and tuber, grain by-products and anything edible found in the immediate environment. Usually farmers select breeding gilts from their own female piglets or to a lesser extent, buy them from neighbors for natural mating. As regards poultry attempts have been made to increase egg and meat production by improving local poultry birds by upgrading and crossbreeding with exotic germ plasma in the tropics. Animal disease present a major constraint to animal production in the tropical region and the extent of the losses due to disease is very high.

• Agribusiness and Information Management
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2013

The research assesses the impact of a digital procurement (e-purjee) system for sugarcane growers in Bangladesh. The system itself is simple, transmitting purchase orders to local farmers via SMS text notification. It replaces a traditional paper-based system fraught with low reliability and delivery delays. Applying expected value theory, and using decision tree representations to depict growers' decision-making complexity in an information-asymmetric environment, we compute outcomes for the strategies and sub-strategies of ICT vs. traditional paper-based order management from the sugarcane growers' perspective. The study results show that the digital procurement system outperforms the paper-based system by tangibly reducing growers' economic losses. The digital system also appears to benefit growers non-monetarily, because of reduced uncertainty and a higher level of perceived fairness. Sugarcane growers appear to value the non-monetary benefits even higher than the economic advantages of the e-purjee system.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.85-100
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• 2008

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded collaborative project on The Economic Feasibility Analysis of Crop Cultivation Practice Project in Pirganj and Kurigram Districts in Bangladesh will started during 2008-2012, for 4 years with total project cost of US$ 571,270. The project will be implemented in 6 villages; has 1,097 hectares areas which is divided into 948 hectares of agricultural land, 52 hectares of forest land and 345 hectares of other land, covered 1,059 households equal to 5,305 persons in Pirganj and Kurigram districts The project has proposed to be implemented in joint collaboration by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) Bangladesh with full participation of the farmers' groups of respective project site. The specific objectives of the project are: (1) to estimate the productivity of paddy, wheat, maize, tobacco and sugarcane (2) to determine the cost of production and returns to the above mentioned crops (3) to study the interrelationship between inputs and output of the above mentioned crops and (4) to examine the resource utilization patterns at farm level. In this project analysis, the net incremental profit is US$33,028. The expected incremental project benefit and incremented production cost are estimated as US$ 219,959 and US$ 186,931 respectively. The financial decision making criteria would be followed in this crop cultivation practice project. After the project implementation, the expected project benefits are assumed to be continued for 15 years. The benefit cost ratio (B/C) of the project is estimated at 1.077 (table 11) when using discount rate of 10% as an opportunity cost of capital in Bangladesh. FIRR of project is estimated at 26.15% which is bigger than the opportunity cost by more than double. So this project is financially feasible and acceptable. Therefore, this project should be extended to other areas to increase the farm income and economic growth of marginal poor farmers in Bangladesh.