A series of training workshops were conducted in Abuja on July 23 – 24, 2024 on ration formulation and evaluation software programs for beef cattle in Nigeria. This project is in cooperation with University of California Davis (UCD), Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS), and US Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.

The project is funded by USDA FAS and its main goal is Improving Feed Ration Formulation Software to Meet Climate Smart Livestock Production Needs in Nigeria. The national implementation of the tool in Nigeria is expected to increase productivity of small-holder farmers and reduction in intensity of methane emissions (i.e., emission per unit of production).

Updating the Beef Ration Program for Nigeria

Download

All files for updating the software are zipped in a single zip file, which you can be download by clicking on the following link: Files-for-updating-sofware.zip

We have two goals for updating the Beef Ration Program for Nigeria: (1) Adding new local feeds, and (2) Improving Hausa translation:

Adding new local feeds

To add new local feeds please follow instructions in the following handout:
NG-Hndout-How-To_Add-Local-Feeds.docx

Improving Hausa translation

We have provided three English-to-Hausa dictionaries for improving Hausa translation:

1. AnimalInfo_Beef_NG.xlsx: This is a dictionary for Animal Information.
2. FeedInfo_Beef_NG.xlsm: This is a dictionary for feed information, feed names, and nutrients.
3. GlobalStrings_Beef_NG.xlsx: This is a dictionary for all other Hausa texts used in the software

Each of these dictionaries contains a tab call Instructions. Follow the instructions to improve Hausa translations.

Coordinator

Our coordinator in Nigeria is Dr. Francis Okechukwu Ahamefule. Please send all your corrections to him:

Francis Okechukwu Ahamefule, PhD
Professor of Animal (ruminant) Production
Department of Animal Production and Livestock Management
College of Animal Science and Animal Production
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,
Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
ahamefule.francis@mouau.edu.ng | +243 0806 852 8149 | +243 0708 579 5218

Agenda

Training Workshop on Ration Formulation and Evaluation Software Programs for Beef Cattle (NG Taurus PC and NG Taurus Mobile), July 23 – 24, 2024, Abuja, Nigeria.

Day 1 (PC version of the software)

8:30 – 9:45 Opening ceremonies and introduction to Global Farm Animals Software Programs (Global FARP)
9:45: 10:00 Break
10:00 – 12:00 NG Taurus PC: Installation – Attendees will learn how to install the software on their PC computer and how to enable support for Khmer fonts.
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 14:45 NG Taurus PC: Ration Evaluation – Attendees will learn how to evaluate an existing ration for growing beef cattle and determining if supplied nutrients meet NRC requirements.
14:45 – 15:00 Break
15:00 – 17:00 NG Taurus PC: Ration Formulation – Attendees will learn how to formulate a new least cost ration for growing beef cattle, which meets NRC requirements.

Day 2 (Mobile version of the software)

8:00 – 9:45 NG Taurus Mobile: Installation – Attendees will learn how to install the mobile app on their smart phones and how to enable support for Khmer fonts on their mobile devices.
9:45: 10:00 Break
10:00 – 12:00 NG Taurus Mobile: Ration Evaluation – Attendees will learn how to evaluate an existing ration for breeding beef cattle, determining if supplied nutrients meet NRC requirements.
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 14:45 NG Taurus Mobile: Ration Formulation – Attendees will learn how to formulate a least cost ration for breeding beef cattle, which meets NRC requirements.
14:45 – 15:00 Break
15:00 – 17:00 NG Taurus Mobile: Hands-on class exercise – Attendees will be organized into groups and each group will be assigned a problem to solve using the materials covered in previous sessions.
17:00 – 17:30 Group photo and certificate of award ceremony.

Training Materials

The software supports both English and Hausa languages, but the training materials are available only in English. A Hausa translation of training materials may be available later on, if needed.

Beef

For the beef program there are three versions: PC, Android, and IOS.

Class Exercises

NG_Class-Exercise-01 (Least Cost Growing: Yearling Steer)
NG_Class-Exercise-02 (Leas Cost Breeding: Adult Bull)
NG_Class-Exercise-03 (Least Cost Breeding: Lactating Pregnant Cow)

Venue

The training venue was in Abuja in Transcorp Hilton Abuja Hotel: Meeting Room OGUN located on the 2nd floor (M2).

Address: 1 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja, 900001, Nigeria.
Phone: +234 803 901 3000
Email: hilton.abuja@hilton.com
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/abuhitw-transcorp-hilton-abuja/

Photo Gallery

Participants

Audience

We worked with Francis to get a very diverse set of people including government, universities and private organizations.

Attendees

- Mr. Alike Peter: Address: Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Abuja
- Professor Olafadehan Olurotimi Ayobami: Address: University of Abuja, Nigeria
- Professor Kalla Demo Joab Usman: Address: Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University, Bauchi
- Professor Barje Peter Pano: Address: National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria
- Professor Rabi Mohammed Ashiru: Address: Department of Animal Science, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Tech. Wudil
- Dr. Saleh Garba: Address: Kano State Agro -Pastoral Development Project
- Dr. Jazzuli Muhammad Bichi: Address: Director, Kano State Livestock Training Institute, Kano
- M. D. Abubakar: Address: Managing Director, L & Z Farms, Kano State
- Dr. Okpanachi, Uchele: Address: Department of Animal Production,University of Jos, Nigeria
- Suleiman Abbas: Address: Managing Director, Sebore Farms,Yola
- Ogli Sarah Elamei: Address: Farm Manager, SAJ Farms, Zaria
- Managing Director: Address: Integrated Dairies Ltd, Jos, Plateau, State
- Dr. Audu Okwu: Address: Sahel Consults, Abuja
- Dr. Leye Alayande: Address: Managing Director, Hybrid Feeds
- Abubakar Saidu: Address: Feedlot Manager, Nagari farms/ Shabu Integrated farms, Keffi, Nasarawa State
- Bello Abba Ibrahim: Address: Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dutse, Jigawa State
- Abdulhameed Ibrahim Salisu: Address: Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Damaturu, Yobe State
- Professor Ari Maikano: Address: Nasarawa State University Keffi
- Dr. Godwin Ochoche Ochepo: Address: Department of Animal Production, Joseph Sarwuan University, Makurdi, Benue State
- Professor Uchechukwu Okah: Address: Department of Animal Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State

Contacts

Nigeria:

Francis Okechukwu Ahamefule, PhD
Professor of Animal (ruminant) Production
Department of Animal Production and Livestock Management
College of Animal Science and Animal Prod.
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,
Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
ahamefule.francis@mouau.edu.ng | +243 0806 852 8149 | +243 0708 579 5218

USA

Ermias Kebreab, PhD
Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Director, World Food Center
Professor and Sesnon Endowed Chair
University of California, Davis
1107 Environmental Horticulture Bldg.
One Shields Avenue | Davis, CA 95616 | USA
ekebreab@ucdavis.edu | +1 (530) 304 9700

GEO Software

Nigeria_2024_07