What is the best breed to crossbreed my local goats with?

This will clearly be useful in what goat breed you should choose. These are some of the considerations you need to put in place;
• Fast growth
• High adaptation to the Ugandan environment
• Good mothering traits
• Lower maintenance costs
However, since you also did not specify which type of local goat you are rearing, I will assume that you have one of these; small East African breed, the Kigezi or Mubende goats.

These hardy breeds are commonly referred to as local breeds in Uganda. They are characteristically slow in growth, have a low twinning rate (less than 30per cent chance of twinning) and yield little milk in comparison to exotic goats.

They are, however, more resilient to environmental harshness and have shown marked resistance to some disease spreading parasites. They are reared for their meat and good quality skin.
The Mubende goat breed is probably the biggest of the three. Well-fed adults weigh 30 to 35 kilogrammes.
The Kigezi type is of intermediate size, with adults weighing 25 to 30 kilogrammes.

The small East African is the smallest. Mature small East Africans can weigh 20 to 25 kilogrammes.

The exotic breeds that are lately being used in meat production improvement programmes are boer and savannah. The boer breed are brown and white coloured goats that originated from South Africa. They are good for meat and goat skin.

They have been crossbred extensively with local varieties in Uganda. The resulting offspring are normally strong bodied, well adapted to the Ugandan environment, with high rates of kidding twins (50 per cent plus) and good mothering skills.

Mature pure males can weigh 110 to 135 kilogrammes.
The Savannah are yet another breed from South Africa. They are typically white in colour and preferred mostly in the Middle East export markets. Savannah goats have exhibited resistance to disease in Uganda, consume roughage well, can utilise pastures other breeds find unpalatable, are good mothers and have a more than 22 per cent twinning rate.

The dairy breeds on the other hand include; the Alpine, Toggenburg and Saanen goats. Alpines have no distinct colour and may range from pure white to shades of brown. The Saanen and Toggenburg are originally from Switzerland.

The Saanen breeds are white or cream in colour. They weigh averagely 65-80 kilograms. Males here can weigh more than 90 kilogrammes.

Alpines are more adaptive to environmental conditions in the tropics. Their coat colours vary. They weigh 60-65kilograms and can produce close to 4.5 litres of milk of 3.6 per cent butter fat content.
The Toggenburg is a medium-sized, moderate milk production goat. It has relatively low butterfat content (2 to 3 per cent) but can produce close to three litres of milk per day. They are the least successful breed in Uganda.

Answered by Samuel Ssewagudde, a veterinary doctor

How useful are cassava and yam leaves to pigs?

Feeds made for any animal should be able to meet its daily needs for maintenance, growth and reproduction. Feeds are considered good if they represent a balanced diet. Good feed must contain sufficient energy, protein, minerals and vitamins.

Cassava and yam leaves are common ingredients in pig feed. Cassava is an acceptable source of energy. Yam leaves have acceptable levels of vitamins and minerals, energy and protein.

The two to some extent and it thus can be used along with other ingredients (contributors of energy, protein, minerals and vitamins) to make a diet balanced to meet the pig’s daily needs.

One can feed them as much as they are available, but it is important to seek professional help on formulating feeds that have cassava and leaves to get the feed balance right.

However, you must be careful on the type of cassava because some cassava is poisonous.

Answered by Samuel Ssewagudde, a veterinary doctor

How can we store harvests, especially cereal crops?

Cereals can be stored in a number of ways: in containers such as baskets, sacks, drums in well fumigated stores, in cribs, granaries and grain silos after they have been thoroughly dried. Use all weather dryers for drying maize. Do not dry maize on bare floors before storing.

Source: Agricultural Research Extension Network

What house is suitable for poultry?

The purpose of a poultry house is to;
• Provide shelter to the birds away from environmental stressors like heat, rain, excessive light, among others.
• Prevent attacks by parasites or disease agents.
• Protect the birds from potential predators or thieves, provide comfort and cater for general welfare of the bird.
A suitable house should be able to meet the mentioned needs as a minimum requirement.

Despite meeting all these, the house must be affordable. So the choice of materials to set up the house is totally dependent on resources available.

Houses can be low budget (murram floor, mud and wattle walls and a grass thatched roof), medium budget (murram or concrete floor, wooden or iron sheet walls and tin roof) or high budget (concrete floor, brick and mortar wall and tin roof).

It is important for a farmer to discuss their building needs with a veterinarian or extension worker, along with an experienced builder. Together, they can harmonise the needs for housing and agree on how the house shall be built.

A poultry house must be furnished with essential equipment like; feeders, drinkers, heat sources, screens, laying nests (if needed), light and curtains.

Answered by Samuel Ssewagudde, a veterinary doctor

What harmful substances does Cassava have

Why does Cassava have them
The substance found in bitter cassava varieties is called cyanogens, which are some of the most poisonous substances known to man.
Cyanogens are not only poisonous to humans, but also animals and insects and consequently they protect the cassava roots from attack by insects.
Bitter varieties of cassava contain high levels of cyanogens and it is thought that they protect cassava plants against Cassava Mosaic Virus.

Source: Agricultural Research Extension Network (ARENET)