The first two items were supplied by the Pastoral Development Network (PDN), Overseas Development Institute, Regent's Park, London NW1 4NS, UK.
USAID work on small ruminants
For over a decade the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has maintained a number of Collaborative Research Support Programmes (CRSPs) on natural resource and agricultural topics. The CRSP of immediate interest to PDN members is that on small ruminants, which started in 1978. The small ruminant CRSP has previously conducted, or is currently carrying out, work in Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco, Peru and Bolivia. Following the usual CRSP format, local research institutions in each of these countries collaborate with a number of United States universities and research institutes on work programmes tailored to local conditions. Work typically includes research on rural sociology, animal nutrition and breeding and economics. Further details on the research institutions involved in each of the small ruminant projects and their work programmes and publications can be obtained from: SR-CRSP Director, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Animal traction networks
The West African Animal Traction Network has a distinguished record of promoting animal traction through publications and the organization of regional workshops and through collaboration and the exchange of information between countries. The network has recently been expanded with the creation of the Eastern and Southern African Animal Traction Network, which will have its headquarters in Zimbabwe. Interested readers should contact: R. Nazare, Chairman, ESAATN Steering Committee, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, PO Box BW330, Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe; or Paul Starkey, Consultant Technical Adviser, ESAATN, Oxgate, 64 Northcourt Avenue, Reading RG2 7HQ, UK.
Animal health information
One of the major functions of the Animal Health Service of FAO's Animal Production and Health Division is to collect, analyse, interpret and disseminate information related to animal health and diseases to serve as the basis for an effective epizootiological programme to combat major diseases. In addition to assisting member countries in developing animal health information systems and supplying information on the world animal disease situation, the Animal Health Service produces the FAO/OIE/WHO Animal Health Yearbook. This publication provides annually updated information on the status of more than 15 main domestic animal species based on national and international reports on 142 animal diseases of interest for their socioeconomic and public health consequences.
Apart from its role in monitoring the animal health situation, the yearbook also serves as an important source of reference. It provides a yearly updated list of reference laboratories and centres that are recognized by FAO, OIE and WHO. A list of WHO zoonosis centres has recently been included, making the yearbook the main source of information on diseases common to both animals and humans.
Six thousand copies of the yearbook are distributed worldwide and it can be obtained from FAO's Distribution and Sales Section.
Annual international Course on the Identification of Insects and Other Arthropods of Medical and Veterinary Importance
Organized by the Natural History Museum, London, the annual international Course on the Identification of Insects and Other Arthropods of Medical and Veterinary Importance will be held from 19 April to 14 May 1993. It will take place partly at the museum itself and partly at the International Institute of Entomology, which is located opposite the museum at 56 Queen's Gate, London.
The participant's fee of £2400 includes tuition, course notes, board and lodging.
This course would be of interest to prospective and experienced medical and veterinary entomologists, as well as lecturers and extension personnel involved in the establishment of training and reference centres.
For further information contact the Course Coordinator: Dr A.J. Shelley, The Natural History Museum, Medical and Veterinary Division, Department of Entomology, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK.
Training courses in poultry science and pig husbandry
During 1993, Barneveld College in the Netherlands will be offering the following professional training courses in the fields of poultry science and pig husbandry.
· Modern Layer Farm Management, to be held from 3 to 28 May. This mid-career training course for commercial layer farm managers is characterized by an integrated approach to the management of commercial layer farms with emphasis on recent developments within the sector. The programme will include study trips to modem layer farms and other places of interest. Such subjects as management and housing will be discussed by experienced college lecturers and guest lecturers from the industry. Practice and theory complement each other throughout the course. This is a unique opportunity to meet with commercial layer farm managers from all over the world and to improve the skills needed to manage a layer farm successfully.· Modern Hatchery Management, to be held from 7 to 18 June. This two-week course has been especially designed for experienced hatchery managers and is a unique opportunity to catch up on the latest developments in hatchery practice, including hygiene and automation. Practice and theory are integrated at the college farms and hatchery by experienced college staff and specialist guest lecturers from several companies. Sessions at the college will be supplemented by excursions and study trips to farms, hatcheries and other places of interest. Modern Pig Farm Management, to be held from 24 May to 25 June. This mid-career training course for pig farm managers, extension officers and other people engaged in commercial pig production deals with the principles and practices of farm-level management of both breeding and finishing pig herds. It provides training for those in managerial and supervisory positions as well as for those doing extension and advisory work in the commercial pig production sector. Theoretical sessions are supplemented by practical training at the college facilities. The course covers the basic principles and components of pig production, as well as applied reproductive technology, the digestive tract, the immune system, pig health and nutrition and economic and production parameters. During the five weeks of the course, the participants will follow the reproductive cycle of a sow and take part in sessions on replacing breeding stock and pig meat production. Each part of the course consists of an integrated unit of economics, nutrition, health, housing and breeding, and much emphasis is put on the use and appraisal of records, both for breeding and finishing pig units.
Highly qualified instructors will ensure an optimal programme. Field trips to modern pig farms and other places of interest are also included in the programme. This course will give people involved in commercial pig production a unique opportunity to improve their management skills and to broaden their horizons by meeting with colleagues from all over the world.
Detailed information on these courses can be obtained from Barneveld College, Director of International Studies and Projects, PO Box 64, 3770 AB Barneveld, the Netherlands. Tel. 31342014881; Fax 31342092813.
