A cross-sectional study of 150 purposively selected multiple livestock species farmers was conducted in Central Uganda aimed at distinguishing between mixed and integrated livestock systems.Performance and operational-based challenges misconstrued to cause incorrect comparison between the two systems were considered.Ten multiple-livestock species system with five ruminant species-based and five monogastric species-based combinations were categorised.Poultry, pig, fish, goats and sheep kept in both the 3 and 4-species combinations were considered.Over 80% of the families are male dominated, smallholder and occupying > 1.0 Ha of land.Exotic and crossbred breeds were adopted away from less productive and noncommercial local species.Mixed monogastric-fish systems with monogastric species dominated (P < 0.05) the choices in the ten categories.Over five year experience in integrated livestock techniques transformed 30% of the farmers into integrated monogastric-ruminant-fish systems.Over reliance on conventional and expensive feeds was highly associated (X 2 = 25.93) with increased production expenses which significantly (P < 0.001) reduce production.Cattle and small ruminants are majorly reared on small scale zero-grazing system of less than 5.0 stock per household.Fish gained prominence with 37% of the farmers operating at medium scale of 500 -1000 stock per farm.Poultry species are mainly kept on deep litter and cage systems which elevated 14.7% of the farmers to large scale with (>1000) stock per farm.Stalls dominate pig management systems with 15% of the farmers upgraded to commercial level with (>50) stock per farm.Ineffective livestock policies contribute to inefficient performance of 55% of livestock farmers.In conclusion, mixed livestock sys-

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to establish the utilisation of non-conventional animal waste in multiple livestock species systems. Farmers (150) were selected from four out of ten districts of Central Uganda in Lake Victoria Crescent. A structured questionnaire was used and descriptive analysis showed that over 80% are smallholder farmers on 3.0) years. Household husbands (80%) significantly (P 1.0) as they cause poor livestock health due to pathogens, parasites and toxins which are associated (OD > 1.0) with poor growth, mortality and condemnation of livestock products. The remedy to unsafe non-conventional feeds is to apply effective solar-heating (75%), chemical and ensiling treatment methods. The study showed that there are no significant (P < 0.001) public health risks associated with utilising treated non-conventional feeds instead it improves production and sustainability of multiple livestock species systems.

Context The consumption of pork is rapidly increasing in Uganda and presents an opportunity for pig farmers to maximise profits. However, the population and productivity of pigs remains low and this is attributed to the high cost of commercial feeds. Aims We aimed to evaluate the effects of various combinations of brewery by-products on the performance, carcass characteristics and profitability of fattening pigs. Methods The study involved 48 crossbred (Large White × Camborough) pigs weaned at 2 months of age and weighing 10.3 ± 1.2 kg. Group pens of four pigs, balanced for sex and weight, were assigned in a completely randomised design with three replications to four diets: BYM, 22% brewers’ spent grain + 15% yeast cake + 60% malt dust; BY, 33% brewers’ spent grain + 14% yeast cake (with 50% maize bran); YM, 27% yeast cake + 70% malt dust; and a commercial diet (control). Feed intake and efficiency, costs and carcass characteristic were determined. Key results Feeding brewery by-products increased (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake by 1.40, 1.11, 1.09 kg/day for BYM, BY and YM compared with the control diet. Pigs fed the control diet had better (P < 0.05) feed efficiency (feed conversion ratio 3.4) than those fed BYM (6.6), BY (5.7) and YM (6.1). The unit cost of diets (Ugandan shillings, USh) increased in the order BYM (USh410) < YM (USh439) < BY (USh551) < commercial diet (USh1313). The unit cost of producing meat increased in the order YM (USh2691) < BYM (USh2713) < BY (USh3150) < commercial diet (USh5331). The highest gross margins accrued from BYM (USh36 769), followed by YM (USh34 853), whereas a loss of USh41 735 was incurred when feeding the commercial diet. Dressing percentage and organ yield were comparable across diets (P > 0.05). Backfat thickness measured at four sites was similar (P > 0.05) across dietary treatments. Conclusion A blended mixture of brewery by-products containing brewers’ spent grain (22%), yeast (15%) and malt dust (60%) is an economical replacement of commercial diets for fattening pigs. Implications Brewery by-products can be used to increase profit margins without affecting the carcass characteristics of pigs.

To study the effect of increasing levels of wheat pollard as a replacement for wheat bran on growth and carcass characteristics of growing pigs, 64 crossbred (Landrace × Large white Yorkshire) pigs were fed with diets in which wheat pollard was added back to wheat bran in ratios of 15, 30, 45 and 60 %. The pigs were divided into groups of four, balanced for sex, ancestry and body weight. They were then allotted to the dietary treatments in a completely randomised design with four replications. The trial lasted 4 months and data were collected on feed intake and weight gain. A digestibility trial was carried out on eight male pigs per treatment during the growth period. At the end of the growth period, two pigs per replicate in each treatment (n = 32) were slaughtered for determination of carcass characteristics. There were significant differences in the rate of gain and efficiency of feed utilisation among treatments. Diet significantly affected weights of the liver, lungs and small intestine (P < 0.05). The availability of nutrients was not a limiting factor for the growing pigs and that substituting wheat bran by wheat pollard at 60 % improved the pig’s average daily gain and feed efficiency.