Browsing by Author "Gamage, S."

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    Effect of farming system on energy balance of temperate crossbred dairy cows in early lactation: A case study conducted at Welimada Veterinary Division
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Piyathissa, W.N.B.A.; Mahipala, M.B.P.K.; Weerasinghe, W.M.P.B.; Kasthuriarachchi, S.; Gamage, S.; Ranaweera, K.K.T.N.
    The early lactation period of dairy cows in Sri Lanka has been identified with negative energy balance (NEB) due to improper feeding strategies. Hence, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the energy balance of temperate crossbred dairy cows in early lactation reared under two management systems (stallfed and tethered) at Welimada Veterinary Division. Forty dairy cows in early lactation were selected for the study (stallfed, n=20, and tethered, n=20). The energy balance was evaluated using a serum metabolic profile. Blood samples collected (between 0900 to 1030 hrs.) from each cow were analysed for serum Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) contents and values were compared with reference ranges. Milk production, parity, days in milk (DIM), and amount of concentrate fed were recorded. The average DIM was recorded as 30.75 days. The NEFA content of cows in both systems (0.30±0.05 vs. 0.39±0.07 mmol L-1 ) was below the upper critical limit of the reference range and no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed between systems. Yet, the BHBA content of cows in the tethered system was significantly higher (p<0.05) than its counterpart (0.81±0.22 vs. 0.35±0.06 mmol L-1 ) and it was close to the upper critical limit (0.854 mmol L-1 ). Higher BHBA contents indicate NEB conditions during early lactation. The number of concentrates fed to stall-fed cows was observed to be significantly higher (p<0.05) than its counterpart (13.64±0.42 vs. 4.46±0.29 kg/cow/d). Similarly, stallfed cows indicated higher (p<0.05) milk production (19.88±0.26 vs. 6.93±0.40 L/cow/d). Results revealed that only the tethered cows were affected with NEB status. The reasons for low milk production and NEB in tethered cows could be due to lack of energy intake which was indicated by the low amount of concentrate fed. Further research is warranted to identify methods for increasing the energy intake of tethered dairy cows at early lactation while considering the socioeconomics of the farming system. Keywords: Beta-hydroxybutyrate, Milk production, Non-esterified fatty acids, Stallfed, tethered
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    Preliminary Investigation on Current Status of Freshwater Fishery Sector and Sensory Qualities of Selected Food Fish in Three Selected Reservoirs of Badulla District in Uva Province of Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Weerasignghe, K.B.S; Athawuda, A.M.G.A.D; Gamage, S.; Abeygunawardana, A.P; Thushari, G.G.N; Liyanage, N.P.P.; Jayamanne, S.C.
    Sri Lanka is rich with large number of reservoirs which are highly useful for irrigational activities and inland fisheries. In Uva province, there is a high potential in expansion of freshwater fish production in reservoirs. Current status of inland fishery sector needs to be evaluated, prior to implement appropriate fishery management measures Also, assessment of organoleptic properties of food fish are useful to identify consumer acceptance for freshwater fish varieties. This study focused on 02 objectives: investigation of present situation of inland fishery sector and identification of organoleptic aspects of major fishery resources in 3 selected reservoirs of Badulla District. Sorabora, Ulhitiya, Rathkinda reservoirs were selected for the study considering production levels based on secondary data. A survey was conducted using pretested structured questionnaire to collect the data on fish production, harvesting methods, fishing gears, and food fish varieties focusing on 122 fishermen in 3 reservoirs. Food fish sources with highest demand and production were subjected to sensory assessment. Gill net (3.5” mesh) was the prominent fishing gear, while “manna” (kind of harpoon) and “karaka” (cover pot) was used into lesser extent for harvesting fishes. All fishermen used nonmechanized fiberglass canoes (length 15.5ft-18ft) as most common fishing craft during fishing operations. Fish yields in reservoirs were affected by climatic variation. Nile Tilapia: Oreochromis niloticus accounts for >80% of total fish production with high demand (80%) in 3 reservoirs. Thus, sensory assessment was conducted for Nile Tilapia samples only. Mozambique Tilapia: Oreochromis mossambicus, Malkorali: Etroplus suratensis, Catla: Catla catla, Rohu: Labeo rohita, Mrigal: Cirrhinus mrigala and freshwater prawn: Macrobachium rosenbergii were minor contributors to the total harvest. Based on sensory evaluation, Nile Tilapia samples from Sorabora reservoir recorded highest consumer acceptance as complying with survey results. At present, more than 60% of fishing community in 3 reservoirs has not engaged with processing of value added products. Current study revealed the organoleptic aspects of Nile Tilapia flesh and data on freshwater fishery is useful as baseline information in fishery management programmes of Uva province.
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    Real-time Data Base Management System for Efficient Data Recording and Management in Regional Dairy Cattle Farming
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Kirishanthan, V.; Ratnayake, A.M.B.; Gamage, S.; Subasinghe, S.C.; Ranaweera, K.K.T.N.
    Real-time data are an essential part of successful dairy cattle farming. Hence, the objective of the present study was to develop a real-time database management system (DBMS) for Badulla Veterinary Division. This aims to enhance the efficiency of data recording and data retrieval by field officers engaged in routine field work related to animal husbandry. Initially, information on currently used DBMS was gathered using key informant interviews held with veterinarians and LDIs in Badulla Veterinary Division. A need analysis was conducted and the most vital data required to be recorded and retrieved (i.e. farm registration, disease management, breeding, and artificial insemination, vaccinations, and individual animal health status) through real-time DBMS were identified using a questionnaire. Based on the above information, a realtime database management mobile application was developed using Android Studio® 3.5.0.0, which consists of optimized user interfaces and an online database. Afterward, the mobile application was tested for its usability, conformance, and performance using identified end-users (Field Officers, n=10) of the application, and the data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results had shown that 100% agreement with quality of information (exactness, reliability, completeness, usefulness, actuality, format, clarity, and complexity) and quality of the system (accessibility, integration, flexibility, timeliness, perceived, usefulness, user-friendly and user satisfaction level) and 80% overall satisfaction on the application. Hence, the real-time Android database management application has the potential to be used as an efficient DBMS in the dairy farming sector of Sri Lanka. A field trial is suggested in the future to assess the longterm usability of the developed DBMS at the field level. Keywords: Android, Field officers, Mobile application, Veterinarian, Database