International Rugby Board and Rugby Football Essay Example for Free

International Rugby Board and Rugby Football Essay Rugby football (also known as rugby) is either of two current sports, either rugby league or rugby union, or any of a number of sports through history descended from a common form of football developed in different areas of the United Kingdom. Rugby union, or simply Rugby, is a full contact team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball, outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, up to 100 metres (330 ft) long and 70 metres (230 ft) wide. On each goal line are H-shaped goal posts. The origin of rugby football is reputed to be an incident during a game of English school football at Rugby School in 1823 when William Webb-Ellis is said to have picked up the ball and run with it. Although this tale is apocryphal, the Rugby World Cup trophy is named after him. Rugby football stems from the form of game played at Rugby School, which old pupils initially took to university; Old Rugbeian Albert Pell, a student at Cambridge, is credited with having formed the first football team. During this early period different schools used different rules, with former pupils from Rugby and Eton attempting to carry their preferred rules through to their universities. Significant events in the early development of rugby football were the production of the first set of written laws at Rugby School in 1845, the Blackheath Clubs decision to leave the Football Association in 1863 and the formation of the Rugby Football Union in 1871. The code was originally known simply as rugby football; it was not until after a schism in 1895, which resulted in the separate code of rugby league, that the name rugby union came to be used for the game itself. Supporters of both codes will frequently refer to theirs as merely rugby or rugby football, unless they are differentiating between the two. The first rugby football international took place on 27 March 1871, played between England and Scotland. By 1881 both Ireland and Wales had representative teams, and in 1883 the first international competition, the Home Nations Championship had begun. 1883 also saw the first rugby sevens tournament at Melrose called the Melrose Sevens, which is still held annually. Five years later two important overseas tours took place; a British Isles team visited Australia and New Zealand—although a private venture, it laid the foundations for future British and Irish Lions tours; and the 1888 New Zealand Native team brought the first overseas team to British spectators. From 1905 through to 1907, all three major Southern Hemisphere rugby countries sent their first touring teams to the Northern Hemisphere; Dave Gallahers New Zealand in 1905, followed by Paul Roos South Africa in 1906 and then Herbert Morans Australia. All three teams brought new styles of play, fitness levels and tactics, and were far more successful than critics at first believed. 1905 also saw the first French internationals. The years during the First World War saw an end of international rugby union games and union-sponsored club matches, but competitions continued with service teams such as the New Zealand Army team. The Second World War saw an end of international matches from most countries, though Italy, Germany and Romania played a limited number of games, and Cambridge and Oxford continued their annual University Match. In 1973 the first officially sanctioned international sevens tournament took place at Murrayfield, as part of the Scottish Rugby Union centenary celebrations. In 1987 the first Rugby World Cup was held in New Zealand and Australia, and the inaugural winners were New Zealand. The first World Cup Sevens tournament was held at Murrayfield in 1993. Rugby union was an amateur sport until the IRB declared the game open in 1995, removing restrictions on payments to players. However, the pre-1995 period of rugby union was marked by frequent accusations of shamateurism, including an investigation in Britain by a House of Commons Select committee. [pic] The only known portrait of William Webb Ellis Rugby union differs from association football (soccer) in that the hands can be employed to move the ball. However, a player can only pass the ball backwards or laterally (i. e. not forward) to another player, or kick it. This means that the majority of progress made by an attacking team occurs through a leap frog cycle of passing the ball, running to make ground, being tackled and repeating this process. Each of these cycles (greatly simplified) is called a phase of play. Rugby union includes the concept of advantage (not to be confused with the advantage line). If one team commits an infraction of the Laws, the referee will not stop play if the opposing team is in a position to gain a territorial or tactical advantage from the mistake. Instead, he calls advantage and allows play to continue until he judges that adequate advantage has accrued, when he calls advantage over, and play continues as if the original infraction had not occurred. If he deems that no advantage can accrue, the referee will stop play and award a scrum, free kick or penalty, as appropriate, at the site of the original infraction. The question of what is advantage and how long play should be allowed to continue to see if any advantage is gained, is a moot point: the referee is the sole judge of what constitutes advantage and different referees can and do take different approaches to this question. But in general, if in subsequent advantage play a team has the chance to do what they could have done if the referee had stopped play for the infraction, then advantage has been gained and the referee will call advantage over. So, for instance, suppose a team commits an infraction that would result in their opponents being awarded a scrum. If their opponents are able to take clean possession of the ball and advance it following the infraction, then they have done what they would have been able to do from a scrum — advantage is thus over. If on the other hand their possession is messy or closely contested then there is no advantage, and the referee will (or should) award the original scrum. Advantage play automatically ends if the team seeking advantage commits an infringement itself: normally, they would then be awarded the consequences of the original infringement, but if they commit an act of foul play, then they will (or should) be penalised directly themselves.

Effects of Climatic Elements on Livestock Production Essay Example for Free

Effects of Climatic Elements on Livestock Production Essay INTRODUCTION Climatic elements have direct effect on the system of animal production, body physiology and animal behaviour, feed supply and quality, proliferation of pests and parasites as well as preservation of animal products (Samson et al., 2011) A number of climatic elements such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, radiant energy, air movement, light, altitude etc. greatly influence and interact with the performance of livestock production. Similarly, they also cause major effects on animal physiology, behaviour and productivity through their individual or separate effects but, more often, by their combinations with other environmental factors. The influence of climate on animal production (including animal body functions, behaviours and productive abilities) may be direct or indirect. In either way, systems of animal husbandry or management are also affected. Direct influence of climate on animal production and husbandry has to do with such influence on the animal itself, while indirect influence is on the animal’s environment each of these shall be examined closely. TEMPERATURE The over-riding environmental factor affecting the physiological functions of domestic animals is temperature. Temperature is measured using the instrument called thermometer, which are of various types. All domestic animals are homeotherms or warm blooded. In other words, they maintain their body temperature within a range most suitable for optimal biological activity. The body temperature range is relatively constant and is higher than the environmental temperature. The ambient temperature on the other hand varies with changes in the climatic elements at a particular time. The animal body temperature ranges within certain limits defined as the ‘Comfort Zone’ is a temperature range within which no demands are made on the temperature regulating mechanism (Samson et al., 2011). In this range the animals heat exchange can be regulated solely by physical means such as constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the skin, ruffling up the fur or feathers and regulation of t he evaporation from lungs and skin. For a typical tropical breed of cattle, the ‘comfort zone’ range from 100 C to 270 C while a tropical temperate cattle has between -10 C and 160 C (FAO, 1986). If there is a change in ambient temperature beyond either the upper or lower limit, physical regulation will not be sufficient to maintain a constant body temperature and the animal must, in addition, decrease or increase its metabolic heat production. The body mechanism for regulating animal body temperature is triggered to action to enable the body remains or return to normal (Samson et al., 2011). However, a further decrease or increase in temperature will eventually bring the temperature to a point beyond which not even a change in heat production will be sufficient to maintain homeothermy, hence, thermo-regulating mechanism may begin to fail, resulting in one or more of the following as elucidated by Samson et al., 2011: i.Abrupt rise in rectal temperature. ii. Decline feed intake i.e. loss of appetite. iii. Increase in water intake. iv. Decrease in productive process such as growth and milk/egg production v. Loss in body weight i.e. emaciation. vi.Change in composition of milk produced. This partly explains the deterioration of highly productive cattle imported from temperate area to the tropics. However, very young animal, lacking fully developed temperature-regulating mechanisms, particularly the ability to increase heat production by increased metabolism, is much more sensitive to its thermal environment and requires higher temperatures. Other behavioural and physiological responses of animal to excessive high temperature or heat load include: i.Sweating ii.Panting iii.Wallowing in mud or pool of water as in pigs. iv.Reduction in physical exercise and mating activities. Heat Regulation As mentioned earlier that all domestic livestock are homeotherms; that is, they maintain relatively constant internal body temperatures, usually within a 1 to 2 ° C range. Normal body temperatures of some domestic animals are given in Table 1. Table 1: Normal Body Temperatures of Domestic Animals (FAO, 1986). Animals Temperatures Average Range Dairy Cow 38.6 38.0 39.3 Beef Cow 38.3 36.7 39.1 Pig 39.2 38.7- 39.8 Sheep 39.1 38.3 39.9 Goat 38.7 40.7 Horse 37.9 37.2- 38.2 Chickens 41.7 40.6 43.0 The body temperature of most domestic animals is considerably higher than the environmental temperature to which they are exposed most of the time. They maintain their body temperatures by balancing internal heat production and heat loss to the environment. The hypothalmus gland acts as a body thermostat by stimulating mechanisms to counteract either high or low ambient temperatures (FAO, 1986). For example, increased conversion of feed to-heat energy is used to counteract low ambient temperatures, while for example increased respiration (rate and volume) and blood circulation in the skin counteracts high ambient temperatures. Varying temperature also results in changed behavior . Most animals reduce their level of activity in a hot environment and, for example, pigs lie clustered in a heap at low temperatures, while they lie spread out with extended limbs at high temperatures (FAO, 1986). This would suggest increased space requirement for pigs held in a warm, tropical climate. The body can tolerate short periods of heat stress, but if the ambient temperature exceeds the body temperature for an extended period, it may prove fatal. When feed is converted by the animals metabolism for the production of milk, eggs, meat, off-spring etc., heat is produced as a by-product. An increased production level and thus feed requirement will therefore result in increased internal heat production. High yielding animals are consequently more likely to suffer from heat stress in a hot climate than are low yielding ones. Feeding fibre-rich, low digestible feed stuffs like hay will result in high heat-production because of increased muscular activity in the alimentary tract and, in ruminants, increased micro-organism activity in the rumen. An increased share of concentrates in the feed may therefore reduce heat stress in an animal under hot climatic conditions (FAO, 1986). Effects of Temperature on Animal Activities Quite a number of animal activities are affected by ambient temperature ranging from grazing activities and feeding behaviour, growth and productive performance, milk yield and composition, reproduction etc. These effects are elucidated below: (a)The Effect of High Ambient Temperature Feeding Behaviour in Animals: Studies have shown that length of day time grazing is related to the ambient temperature, and reduction in heat load improves grazing behaviour. Herders in semi-arid and arid area have adopted the act of grazing at night to improve both intake and length of grazing in hot seasons. However, in the case of monogastric animals such as broiler birds, they are often fed in the night and when to be fed during the day, their feeds are sprinkled with droplets of water as means of alleviating heat load to improve feed intake and overall production (Da Silva, 2007). It should be noted that feeding fibre-rich, low digestible feed stuffs like hay will result in high heat-production because of increased muscular activity in the alimentary tract and, in ruminants, increased micro-organism activity in the rumen (FAO, 1986). An increased share of concentrates in the feed may therefore reduce heat stress in an animal under hot climatic conditions. In contrast, when the ambient temperature is low, the animal will increase conversion of feed to-heat energy is used to counteract low ambient temperatures, hence resulting to increase in feed intake (FAO, 1986). (b)Effect of Temperature on Growth and other Productive Performance: High ambient temperature depress appetite and reduce feed intake and grazing time which may also diminish production as measured by growth, milk yield and milk solids production. Experimental evidence has shown that there is a partial correlation with growth rate when body weight is constant. However, under good management conditions where feeding and management are adequate, high ambient temperatures do not appreciably affect growth rates. Temperate type sheep that are exposed to high air temperature often have a low lambing percentage and give birth to small weak lambs that have a high post-natal mortality. Lambs born in early summer and reared through hot summer are usually smaller at birth than lambs born in the cool months of early dry season (Da Silva, 2007). In poultry, light breeds and young chicks are more resistant to heat than heavy breeds and adult birds. High temperatures predispose laying birds to abrupt decline in egg production. (c)Effect of Temperature on Milk Yield and Composition: Studies have indicated the effect of temperature on milk yield, butter fat and solids – not – fat. All these are depressed by high temperature, but usually by indirect effect of temperature on changes in feeding. As much as between 44% and 55% differences in milk yield and butter fat production were noticed between twin heifer reared under sound tropical and temperature management conditions (Samson et al., 2011). With increasing air temperatures appetite is depressed, food intake lowered, and heat production reduced (Vercoe, J.E.). The exact mechanism of temperature effect on milk and milk composition is not known. Either the high temperature directly affects appetite, thus decreasing feed intake, productivity and heat production or the need to reduce heat production forces down appetite and hence lower feed intake (Vercoe, J.E.). The direct effect of temperature is further appreciated in a study that defines optimum temperature for milk production as 210 C 270 C in Jersey and Holstein 29-32 in Brown Swiss and higher in tropical breeds of cattle (Da Silva, 2007). Similarly, milk constituents namely; butter fat, chloride, lactose and total nitrogen are affected when temperature rises above 270 C 300 C (FAO, 1986). (d) Effect of Temperature on Reproduction: Air temperatures do not seem to affect reproductive cycle of cows, but bull fertility is markedly influenced. High testicular temperatures adversely affect spermatogenesis and hormonal system. Seminal degeneration and temporary infertility have been reported in Merino sheep exposed to temperature above 330 C over a length of time (FAO, 1986). In poultry, both sizes of egg and thickness of its shell decline when laying fowls are exposed to high temperatures. Egg productivity decline has been experienced in poultry farms in Nigeria. However, incubation and brooding are favoured under high temperature. HUMIDITY As stated earlier, it is difficult to separate or single out the effect of temperature, precipitation and humidity on animal production. Humidity is measured using the instrument called hygrometer. Evaporation is one of the important channels of heat loss. It depends on ambient air temperature, the amount of available moisture in the atmosphere (humidity), area of evaporating surface and the degree of air movement (Samson et al., 2011). The amount of available moisture partly affects the rate of evaporative heat loss from the skin and respiratory system of an animal. Poultry do not have sweat glands, so all evaporative heat loss must originate from the respiratory tract. Other livestock species have varying abilities to sweat and in descending order they are as follows: Horse, donkey, cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep and pig. In a hot-dry climate evaporation is rapid, but in a hot humid climate the ability of the air to absorb additional moisture is limited and the inadequate cooling may result in heats tress. Too low humidity in the air will cause irritation of the mucous membranes, while too high humidity may promote growth of fungus infections (Da Silva, 2007). High humidity may also contribute to decay in structures. High humidity also adds to the heat load of the animal by depressing evaporative heat loss with declining effect on feed intake and productivity as demonstrated under temperature effects. If possible keep the relative humidity in the range of 40 to 80%. SOLAR RADIATION OR RADIANT ENERGY The quantity of solar radiation or radiant energy received in tropical region differs profoundly from the temperate. Solar radiation is measured using the instrument called Photometer. The heat load on a grazing animal can be considerably increased by direct solar radiation and radiation reflected from clouds or the ground (Samson et al., 2011). For tropical breeds of animal, solar radiation effects are scarcely noticeable because of their skin and eye that are pigmented (Mahadevan, 1966). A white hair coat will absorb less radiant energy than a dark, but the heat penetrates deeper in a white, loose coat (FAO, 1986). In contrast, when temperate breeds are exposed suddenly to solar radiation of the tropics they suffer from sun burns or skin cancers, epithelioma (eye infection from solar radiation) and other photosensitive disorders. Furthermore, solar radiation may adversely affect the animals skin in particular breeds having unpigmented skin. Solar radiation correlates with air temperature and thus partly contributes to the ambient temperature which is a principal climatic element affecting animal production. Management systems adopted in the tropics as means of minimising adverse effects of solar radiation include: i.Grazing in the night. ii.Clipping of excessive hair.   iii.Provision of a shaded area for animals or grazing under shades in the day time. However, the shade should be sufficiently large to allow space between the animals so that the heat loss by other means is not reduced (FAO, 1986). Solar radiation may contribute or may even create a more severe heat stress, hence, all measures must be taken to reduce direct impact of solar radiation on animals. ALTITUDE Altitude refers to height of a place over and above relative to the sea level which is usually measured in metres. Altitude is measured using the instrument called Altimeter. Illustratively, three plateau in Nigeria exhibit micro-climatic conditions that differ slightly from the general tropical environment in terms of relatively lower ambient temperature, temperate vegetation and sometimes precipitation. This distinct condition confers on the Obudu Hill, Jos and Mambilla Plateau (Samson et al., 2011). Temperate-like micro-environment on these places located within the tropical Nigerian climate makes the production of cattle and other livestock to take the semblance of the temperate system of animal production. Some of the environmental stress conditions earlier enumerated may be unnoticed or moderated in the elevated places. Physiological responses of animals supported by favourable microclimatic condition tend to stimulate improved animal performance in terms of intake and metabolism of nutrients, growth and reproductive activities (Khalifa, 2003). The emerging growth in dairy production in Kenya is partly attributed to high productivity of dairy cattle located on high altitudes and highlands of the country. The geographical principle of â€Å"the higher the relative altitude of given place, the cooler it becomes† is characteristic of the micro-climatic phenomenon experienced in most tropical highlands, which has led to improved animal productivity (Samson et al., 2011) AIR MOVEMENTS Air movements involve wind direction and wind velocity but the most important is the wind velocity or speed. These will assist in heat loss by evaporation and by conduction/ convection as long as the air temperature is lower than the skin temperature. When the air temperature approaches the skin temperature rapid air movements are experienced as comfortable, but at low temperatures it will lead to excessive cooling of unprotected skin areas (cold draught) (Mahadevan, 1966). In addition air movements are required to remove noxious and toxic gases and to supply the animal with fresh air for breathing (Samson et al., 2011). A wind velocity of 0.2m/s is generally regarded as a minimum requirement, but it can be increased to 1.0m/s, when the temperature is nearing the upper critical, or more when it goes beyond that (Da Silva, 2007). Wind speed is measured using the instrument called Anenometers while wind direction is measured using Wind Vane. PRECIPITATION OR RAINFALL Heavy rain my penetrate the fur of an animal and decrease its insulation value. A strong wind can in such circumstances lead to excessive cooling. However, a naturally greasy hair coat will resist water penetration and with the provision of a shelter for the animals the problem may be avoided altogether (Samson et al., 2011). It should be noted that increase in precipitation result in consequent in increase in relative humidity. Rainfall is measured using the instrument called Rain gauge. LIGHT Light which dictates day length or photoperiod varies with latitude and season and has a direct influence on animal performance, especially on the breeding season for sheep and egg production of poultry. Under natural conditions, there is a correlation between length of day and rate of laying (Samson et al., 2011). Artificial light is used in the temperate zone to equalize egg production throughout the year (Mahadevan, 1966). Additional hours of light before dawn and after dusk are recommended in hot climates to encourage the hens to eat during the cooler hours. INDIRECT EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC ELEMENTS ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION Effects of the climatic environment on animal production, biotic agents, nutrition including the influence on animal feed supply and quality may be regarded as indirect effect that does not bear on immediate conduct of the animal but on its environment. These indirect effects include: (a) Effects on Feed Supply: Climate affects the quantity and quality of feed available to the animal. Temperature, precipitation, daylight and humidity limit plant growth and affect feed quality more drastically than other climatic factors. In humid and sub humid areas where there is sufficient rains, plant exhibit seasonal growth, hence seasonal availability of forage (Samson et al., 2011). In the dry season when plant experience slow growth or complete growth seizure, available grazing stuff declines and animals lack enough to eat. In the arid and semi-arid zone lack of sufficient grazing material results in seasonal movement in search of forage feed in the wetter areas. The pattern of distribution of rainfall in which tropical region experience torrential rainfall in a short duration also partly explain rapid growth of plants within a short while followed by fast decline in biomass and other nutritional qualities (Khalifa, 2003). Nutritional quality of feed has to do with proportion of constituent nutrients, availability and balance of these nutrients in the ratio needed by the animals. Feed quality is most influenced by the climatic factors as precipitation and humidity. Rapid growth of plants results in production of high fibrous content of the forage feed as quality deteriorates with age. Tropical forage compared with that of temperate matures quicker, such that at same age the fiber content is higher; and digestible protein and total digestible nutrients lower (Samson et al., 2011). Thus stocks in the tropics usually have to digest more fibrous feeds and this may add to their heat load. Studies have indicated the extreme sensitivity of cattle to heat stress(Mahadevan, 1966). It is noted that the balance of acetate available for purposes other than heat production is increased as environmental temperature increases. Ruminants in hot climate are more sensitive to imbalances of protein, energy, which results in an increased heat production (Samson et al., 2011). (b) Effects on Animal Disease, Vector and Parasites High temperatures and high humidity provide favourable breeding environment for internal and external parasites, fungi and disease vectors. There is high incidence of internal parasites in the humid tropics and in the wet season. In arid areas, and in dry season, the incidence of insect pests and external parasites remain a major health threat. As much as the vegetation-type influences the incidence of insect pests/vectors of disease, so much is climate indirectly affects animal production. Incidence of tsetse fly infestation and distribution between the humid and sub humid area explains the interaction between the climate and vegetation and their influence on an animal production. (c) Effects on Storage and Handling of Animal Products Tropical climate favours the rapid deterioration and increases the cost of handling animal products. In arid or humid climates of the tropics, substantial quantity of animal products have been lost to putrefying organisms which multiply rapidly under such conditions to cause deterioration, spoilage and ‘food poisoning’ of enormous economic value (Samson et al., 2011). This indirectly affects animal production in terms of high cost of generating electricity and provision of refrigeration on the farm to reduce wastage of valuable animal products. EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC FACTORS ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS LIVESTOCK SPECIES In tropical and subtropical countries, an animal may often be under heat stress when the environmental temperature exceeds the upper critical level (18 to 24 °C, depending on the livestock specie) there is usually a drop in production or a reduced rate of gain (FAO, 1986). Furthermore, when the temperature falls outside the comfort zone, other climatic factors assume greater significance. Humidity becomes increasingly important as do solar radiation and wind velocity. 1.Cattles Dairy cattle show a reduced feed-intake under heat stress resulting in lowered milk production and reduced growth. Reproduction is also adversely affected. There are, however, important differences between breeds. European cattle (Bos taurus) produce well at temperatures ranging from 4 to 24 ° C even at high humidity (FAO, 1986). Much lower temperatures (-10 °C) have little effect as long as fluctuations are not too rapid or frequent. On the other hand, a drop in milk production results with temperatures exceeding 25 °C (Vercoe, J.E.). The drop may be as much as 50% at temperatures of 32 °C or higher. In contrast, Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), which are native to warm climates, have a comfort zone of 15 to 27 ° C and milk production begins to drop only when temperatures rise above 35 °C. In addition, beef cattle make their best weight gains at temperatures below 25 ° C (FAO, 1986). They can easily tolerate temperatures below 0 ° C if they have a good supply of feed. It is important to note some of the physical differences between these two types of cattle that suit each to its climate of origin. The Zebu is characterized by a hump, large ears and loose, thin skin including a prominent dewlap. These characteristics promote heat loss by convection and evaporation and thus efficient body temperature regulation under hot climatic conditions (Khalifa, 2003). In addition, the Zebu has less subcutaneous fat, a lower body volume for the surface area, and short smooth hair all of which contribute to the animals comfort under hot conditions. The European breeds on the other hand have thick skin held tightly to the body, long hair and a large amount of fat which serve as insulators, traits desirable for cold or temperate climates (Da Silva, 2007). Calves seem most sensitive to cold draughts and poor ventilation, but are quite tolerant of a wide range of temperatures. 2.Pigs Pigs require a change in ambient temperature as they age and grow, and like cattle, they show a decreased feed intake when under heat stress. Piglets survive and develop best at 30 to 32 °C initially followed by a gradual reduction to 20 °C over the first three weeks. Feeder pigs (30 to 65 kg) make good gains in the temperature range of 10 to 25 °C with 24 °C reported optimum. The optimal ambient temperature for pigs weighing 75 to 120 kg is 15 ° C (FAO, 1986). Brood sows do well at 15 °C but suffer badly at 25 °C and above since they do not perspire when hot. Reproduction rates fall under heat stress and sows are more apt to trample their baby pigs in the discomfort of hot weather (Da Silva, 2007). 3.Sheep Sheep can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but should be protected from wind and rain. However, a long period of high ambient temperatures inhibits reproduction. Heat stress also reduces lambing percentage, decreases the incidence of twinning, and decreases the birth weight of lambs (Khalifa, 2003). When temperatures are below 7 °C at breeding time, ewes show improved reproductive efficiency. 4.Goats Goats are affected by temperature, humidity and rain. In hot climates, goats need shelter from intense heat during the day. In humid areas they need protection from prolonged heavy rain. Excessive wetting from rain can cause pneumonia and an increase in parasitic infestation. 5.Poultry The environmental requirements for poultry vary with age. Chicks should be started at 35 ° C. After one week the temperature is reduced gradually to 24 °C by the fifth week. Broilers and young turkeys reared at ambient temperatures below 18 °C are heavier than similar stock reared within the 18 to 35 °C range, but their feed conversion efficiency will be less. Laying birds produce the greatest number of eggs and the largest sized eggs at 13 to 24 ° C. The best feed conversion efficiency is achieved between 21 to 24 ° C (FAO, 1986). With increasing environmental temperature there is a decrease in feed intake and alterations in behaviour. Within the temperature range of 5 to 30 °C there is a reduction of about 1.6% in feed intake for every 10 °C increase in ambient temperature (FAO, 1986). Above 24 °C there is a reduction in egg production and egg size. A continued rise in temperature to 38 °C or more may prove lethal (Da Silva, 2007). High humidity at high temperat ures create conditions that are more likely to be lethal because of a breakdown in body cooling through respiration. 6.Rabbits Rabbits are affected most by sun and heat, wind, rain and draughts. Sunlight is of benefit to breading stock and the growing young, but it will also fade the coat of coloured rabbits and discolour a white one. While rabbits enjoy the sun, they must have the chance to get out of the direct rays. Because of their thick fur coats they tolerate cold better than extreme heat, but they are susceptible to chilling from draughts. Rabbits also need protection from rain and dampness. 7.Horses Horses do not require warm surroundings, but they do not easily tolerate draughts, dampness and high humidity. When exposed to high temperatures and vigorous exercise, horses sweat and the evaporation of this perspiration cools the skin and helps to maintain normal body temperature (FAO, 1986). CONCLUSION Virtually all production aspects of animal agriculture are affected or influenced by these unique climatic factors. It is very clear that the climate impinges directly on the biological functions of the body system, animal behaviour and production performance through such overbearing and moderating influence of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, air movement, altitude, precipitation, light and indirectly on feed supply, parasites and diseases, storage and handling of animal products. Progress in animal production has for age long being dependant on adjusting production system to suit the influence of the climate or changing the body physiological functions and behaviour to fix-up with climatic dictates. These fundamental factors underlie the various systems of production, systems of housing, feeding, reproduction and the overall management practices that are often adopted, modified or imposed REFERENCES Da Silva, R.G., 2007. Weather and Climate and Animal Production. In: The Guide to Agricultural Meteorological Practices, WMO No. 134. Available online: http://www.agrometeorology.org/files-folder/repository/gamp_chap_11.pdf. FAO, 1986. Animal Environmental Requirement. In: Farm Structures in Tropical Climates,FAO Corporate Document Repository. Available online: http://www.fao.org/docrep/s1250e/S1250E10.htm#Animal environmental requirements. Khalifa, H.H., 2003. Bioclimatology and Adaptation of Farm Animals in a Changing Climate. In: Interaction between Climate and Animal Production. Eds: Lacetera, N., Bernabucci, U., Khalifa, H.H., Ronchi, B., Nardone, A., Wageningen Academic Publishers, pp: 15-30. Mahadevan, P., 1966. The Relation between Climatic Factors and Animal Production. United Nation Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Symposium on Methods in Agroclimatology, Paris. Reading Symposium Paper, pp: 1-15. Samson, O.A., Afolabi, A., Jari, S., 2011. Effects of the Tropical Environment on Animal Production. In:Principles of Animal Production, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), pp: 11-19. Vercoe, J.E. Climatic and Environmental factors affecting Dairy Productivity. Available online: http://www.ilri.org/InfoServ/Webpub/fulldocs/SmHDairy/chap4.html.

Monetary Policies in Financial Crisis

Monetary Policies in Financial Crisis i) OECD is the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is an extraordinary gathering where the legislatures of 34 majority rule governments with business sector economies work with one another, and in addition with more than 70 non-part economies to advance monetary development, thriving and reasonable improvement. The association gives a setting where governments can hope to measure up approach encounters, look for answers to normal issues, recognize great practice and direction residential and worldwide strategies. On a basic level, tackling the countrys obligation issues is simple. Very nearly all masters concur that a mix of lessened using and expanded expense incomes is required. Cuts in using and increments in duty incomes equivalent to around 5 percent of GDP are obliged to keep an increment in the obligation to-GDP proportion. The legitimate decision is that just an adjusted methodology to illuminating our obligation emergency, one that incorporates both using cuts and expanded duties, is attainable. That being said, not one or the other using cuts nor expense increments will be politically simple to sanction. Last monetary year, national government using was $3.5 trillion. iii) Credit crunch is the currency market circumstance in which advances are tricky to get. Credit crunch happens typically when a legislature tries to control swelling by forcing limitations on lending’s to customers and little organizations which this can also be called credit press. A credit crunch is regularly created by a maintained time of indiscreet and improper loaning which brings about misfortunes for giving establishments and financial specialists in the red when the advances turn harsh and the full degree of awful obligations gets to be known. Simple credit conditions (in some cases alluded to as pain free income or detached credit) are described by low premium rates for borrowers and loose loaning practices by brokers, making it simple to get economical advances. A credit crunch is the inverse, in which investment rates climb and giving practices tighten. Simple credit conditions implies that finances are promptly accessible to borrowers, which brings about resource co sts climbing if the advanced stores used to purchase resources in a specific business sector, for example, land or stocks. The impact of credit crunch in US is the monetary effect of the home loan emergency and credit crunch will be immense, and it has scarcely started, another study arranged by a few unmistakable economists and discharged Friday has finished up. Criticism from the budgetary business turmoil to the true economy could be considerable, it said. Unless they can rapidly recapitalize, banks are prone to decrease their giving to shoppers and organizations by more than $1 trillion, cutting financial development by more than a rate point throughout the following 12 months. The report was discharged at a gathering on U.S. fiscal approach in New York in which a few senior Federal Reserve authorities and economists were taking part. After an introductory period where a few money related markets appeared resistant from the emergency, the credit crunch is currently assembling storm. The report gauges that the credit crunch is required to push down development by 1.3 rate focuses through the following 12 months. Practically as disturbing is the reports decision that this emergency is remarkable in the archives of U.S. financial history however now may serve as the layout for more emergencies to come. [taken from website- http://www.marketwatch.com/story/big-hit-to-economy-from-credit-crunch-study-says] UK economy had been lending money This credit crunch had led to the fall of the Lehman brothers , the credit emergency emitted in August 2007 with the disappointment of two Bear Stearns Hedge supports, Lehmans stock fell forcefully. Amid that month, the organization dispensed with 2,500 home loan related occupations and close down its BNC unit. Likewise, it additionally shut business locales of Alt-A bank Aurora in three states. Indeed as the revision in the US. lodging business sector picked up energy, Lehman kept on being a significant player in the home loan market. In 2007, Lehman endorsed more home loan sponsored securities than some other firm, aggregating an $85-billion portfolio, or four times its shareholders value. In the final quarter of 2007, Lehmans stock bounced back, as worldwide value markets arrived at new highs and costs for settled salary resources organized a transitory bounce back. Nonetheless, the firm did not take the chance to trim its enormous home loan portfolio, which by and large, would en d up being its last risk. Lehmans breakdown bothered worldwide budgetary markets for a considerable length of time, given the span of the organization and its status as an issue player in the US. furthermore globally. Numerous scrutinized the U.s. governments choice to let Lehman fall flat, as contrasted with its implied backing for Bear Stearns (which was procured by JPMorgan Chase) in March 2008. Lehmans insolvency prompted more than $46 billion of its market worth being wiped out. Its crumple additionally served as the impetus for the buy of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America in a crisis bargain that was likewise advertised on September 15. The solution to credit crunch can be seen through the monetary policy BIBLIOGRAPHY INVESTOPEDIA STAFF. ().Case Study: The Collapse of Lehman Brothers.Available: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/09/lehman-brothers-collapse.asp. Last accessed 23/11/2014. Gregg rob. (2008).Impact fromcreditcrunch will be huge, study says. Available: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/big-hit-to-economy-from-credit-crunch-study-says. Last accessed 23/11/2014 Chris Talbot . (18 February 2008).The impact of the credit crunch on British workers.Available: http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2008/02/cred-f18.html. Last accessed 24/11/2014. Andrew Reschovsky. ().solving Americas debt crisis.Available: http://econbrowser.com/archives/2011/11/solving_america_1. Last accessed 24/11/2014.

Nestle :: essays research papers

Nestle (Brief Overview) 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Unconventional methodology of extension to other countries in it’s early years. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nestle made a name for itself with an experiment involving a child who was intolerant to his mother’s milk or any other substitutes. Nestle not only saved the baby’s life but achieved the feat with a formula developed with a formula that included lactose as one of it’s key ingredients. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Several acquisitions along Nestle’s timeline would further accent its touch in its major revolution in the food industry. CASE1 : IMPORTANT FACTS OF THE CASE. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nestle’s commencement in 1866 by the Swedish pharmacists and further expansion into Europe and subsequently the rest of the world 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nestle’s landmark acquisituions. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nestle’s first mover strategy. The writer makes a comparison to enterprises during the industrial revolution. These companies had to invest in infrasture that are almost negligible in todays commerce activities, to start off production. Nestle had to engage in activities with a potential high risk such as their milk collection process in china. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It’s broad based globalization that attracted 99% of it’s revenue from outside of it’s home country in a little over a century 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The employment of tactics and strategy in a saturated market like Europe in the late nineties. ( I.E. potential to find an emerging market way before it gets prosperous. Responses to income levels) 6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nestle focused more on customization instead of the then resounding and domineering globalization. They believed in customizing a product to suit a local niche one market at a time. That way new product failure rate remained minimal and New product Development grew significantly. This process is referred to as local adaptation by the writer. CASE2 : With regards to emerging markets 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nestle has always pioneered in being the first mover into a new market. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aligned with the vision of its proprietor they configure new products to their best fit assumption and then introduce it to a unsuspecting market. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After having a substantial leverage on the market, subsequent growth in the market would also mean growth for the subsidiary market share of nestle. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Examples of such products experimented with include tofu, noodles and of Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s favorite, condensed milk. 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nestle noticeably pierces the market with staple or basic fodd items before upgrading to more upscale products. CASE 3: What is required for the strategy to work 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A centralized organizational goal and focus on new product development accented with the regional taste. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An unbiased commitment to optimum product standards. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Subsequent monitoring and alterations as required 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Progress report and full disclosure to stakeholders involved to determine if it is worth continuing.

America In The Popular Imagination :: essays research papers

Twenty-one years ago, a spectacular film was made by an incredible director of the highly acclaimed film, "Badlands". The movie, "Days of Heaven" directed by Terrence Malick is a movie that shows the confusion of one woman, trying to figure out whom she loves. The movie stars Richard Gere as Bill and Sam Shepard as a rich, handsome, Texan farmer, the two men Brooke Adams as Abby falls in love with. Linda Manz plays Linda, Bill's sister and the narrator, in the story.Terrence Malick was born in Waco, Texas, which probably influenced him to make his first two films, "Badlands" and "Days of Heaven". Both share a theme of pariahs in the mid American wilderness, who are on the run from the law.The late seventies and early eighties were about getting ahead, however you could, no matter whom you had to step on, never worrying that you could get caught. This is reflected when Bill wants Abby to pretend that she is in love with the farmer. When Abby marries the farmer, Bill and Linda move in with them. Linda says "The rich got it all figured out". She means that when she was poor, she was considered replaceable and unimportant. When working in the fields, she says "If you don't work, they'll ship you right out of there; they don't need you; they can always find someone else." As a rich person, and a part of the upper class, she has fun with her life, and doesn't worry about what is going on."Days of Heaven" is about getting into a higher class. It starts when Bill punches his boss and needs to get a new job. He, his younger sister, Linda, and his lover, Abby, become sharecroppers on a farm in Texas, owned by a handsome young man. Bill and Abby pretend to be brother and sister, because they don't want people to know. Linda says "They told everyone they were brother and sister... You know how people are... you tell them something, they start talking". Bill is accused by a fellow sharecropper of being to close with his "sister" and they got into a fight because Bill was very defensive about that. Linda makes a friend with an older woman on the farm and they play in the fields. Bill overhears a doctor diagnose the handsome young farmer with a disease and one year to live.

Educational Psychology - Teacher Interview :: essays research papers

Educational Psychology - Teacher Interview I interviewed a teacher from the Philadelphia School District and here is the result from my interview. I am a teacher in the head start program of Philadelphia .I have been with the head start program for 10yrs. I see children younger than kindergarteners with special needs. I see this problem not only with education but behavioral. Children with special problems can learn. You have to know how to deal with children period. Regular children and special educational children all learn. Special educational children know exactly what they’re doing just as well as regular children.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The teachers involvement with the process is the teachers observes the children than fills out an application or suggest that this student needs some type of help if its with speech, or any other problem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In head start we have physiologist who get children mental health together and evaluate the children. They do a test and it is evaluated with staff and parents or guardian of the child. We are involved in the Early Invention Programs. This program is even for younger children with behavioral problems and we get help from a supportive staff. Pros  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cons 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Test  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1.The terminology they slow the 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Free (help)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   staff uses with parents. 2. Not enough people to provide services.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  3. Therapist does not follow up   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   year to year   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  4. Dedication from pre k-12 grade   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5. Parents don’t show confidence   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   in their child   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  My opinion on issue special education. We as teachers and therapist really need to take our jobs serious. They are children all over the world that need help.

Continental Philosophy Essay

When beginning the study of philosophy it is hard to believe that there are so many components involved with one subject. But in reality philosophy is really a broad term for many subtopics; as is the case when discussing continental philosophy, which is the philosophical tradition of continental Europe including phenomenology and existentialism. It all began with Absolute Idealism supported by such philosophers as Fichte and Hegel. It was during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that immense amounts of historical changes taking place in the world were showing in the philosophical movements of that time period. George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel begins the historical analysis of continental philosophy since it all begins with his theories. Though Hegel’s philosophies have been described as difficult his theories form the foundation for what is now known as Hegelian idealism. His theory has four main themes. The first is dependant on the â€Å"Absolute† and states that the â€Å"Absolute† is that which is most real and true and which can also think for itself. The second is based on idealism and he speaks of the objective world being an â€Å"expression of infinite thought† (Moore & Bruder 2005) and that each individuals mind thought processes actually are reflections on themselves. The third theory is based on reality. For Hegel this was not an easy concept. To try to make it easier to understand our book tries to describe it as being similar to mathematics in that everything is coherently connected to another. So in order for something to be completely true it is dependant on all its parts to make it so. Then the forth theory is known as â€Å"The Absolute† and is the â€Å"sum total of reality; is a system of conceptual triads . . . the entire system of thought and reality . . . is an integrated whole in which each proposition is logically interconnected with the rest† (2005). As the nineteenth century turned into the twentieth century what seemed to transpire in philosophy was a direct result of Hegel himself. The response to Hegelian idealism in Europe became known as Continental philosophy which includes the two branches of thought that will be explored, existentialism and phenomenology. Existentialism is a philosophical movement with its main emphasis on individual existence, freedom, and choice. Existentialism became popularized in the 1900’s. Mainly due to what was happening during World War II, many of the popular existentialists were affected by the traumatic world events of that time period. Albert Camus was profoundly affected by World War II and this was depicted throughout his many writings. According to our reading he saw much suffering and despair prior to the war even starting. He eventually became active in social reform and was a member of the communist party for a brief period of time. Even though he will forever be connected to the world of existentialism, he never accepted that to be true. Regardless of his beliefs to whether or not he was an existentialist his thought process has been forever linked. Considered to be a literary genius of his time he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957. During the war, Camus published a number of works which have become associated with his principle thought processes on the â€Å"absurd†: his idea is mainly that it is impossible to make rational sense of one’s experience, and human life is made meaningless by mortality. World War II brought Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre together. Sartre is arguably the most famous existentialist. Unlike Camus, Sartre was an atheist. His main beliefs revolve around the fact that there is in fact no God. For Existentialists like Sartre, the absence of God has a much larger significance than the metaphysics of creation: Without God there is no purpose, no value, and no meaning in the world. Phenomenology is the second branch of Continental philosophy that has historical connections to Hegelian idealism and thus existentialism. Phenomenology is the direct result of Edmund Husserl’s philosophies. According to Husserl, the goal of philosophy was to describe the data of consciousness without bias or prejudice, ignoring all metaphysical and scientific theories in order to accurately describe and analyze the data gathered by human senses and the mind. â€Å"Phenomenology, in theory, simply explores conscious experience without making any metaphysical assumptions† (2005). Martin Heidegger was another popular phenomenologist of the twentieth century. He was inspired by Husserl’s works. â€Å"Heidegger, too, was convinced that it was necessary to look at things with fresh eyes, unshrouded by the presuppositions of the present and past† (2005). According to him humans are actually â€Å"ignorant† to everything, what he called the â€Å"true nature of Being† (2005). It all goes back to Socrates and our inner search for something. In reality however Heidegger and Socrates philosophies are not similar in anyway. To define humans as animals capable of rational thinking is for Heidegger a distorted anthropology. He is not concerned with destroying logic, the ability to formulate analogies, or to display ratios. His mission is to preserve the fragile tendencies of spontaneous thought processes. By so doing Heidegger sees himself as presenting the phenomenal world. Continental philosophy is a form of philosophy that broadens the gap across the continents. It was the form of philosophy that took place in continental Europe during the twentieth century. It was during that time that the main philosophers of that time were being influenced by the terror and violence that was surrounding them thanks in part due to World War II. This influential time saw the rise in existentialism and phenomenology. References Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. (2005). Philosophy: The power of ideas (6th ed. ). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.