Summarises past and present experiences with livestock performance testing in sub-Saharan Africa and outlines the role of networks in improving on-farm testing through the use of standardised testing methods and rapid data handling and feedback. Includes data on the distribution of cattle and sheep populations by ecological zone in sub-Saharan Africa. Presents current programmes for on-farm and on-station performance recording.

This paper provides the general objectives of the special issue: secondary forests in Asia: their diversity, importance and role in future environmental management. It provides a brief overview of the renewed attention to tropical secondary forests and sketches the history of research on this subject.

Information on trypanotolerant livestock in Senegal, the Gamia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Upper Volta, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo and Zaire, particularly livestock numbers & distribution, information available on trypanotolerant cattle, sheep & goats, research and development activities, w. a selected bibliography.

This volume presents major results obtained since the publication of volume 1 and 2 and updates national data on trypanotolerant cattle. The first part analyses populations and their trends between the two surveys and reviews research activities and development activities. It also gives recent information available on the potential and utilisation of trypanotolerant livestock. Part two presents recent data for the 18 study countries, as well as for Equatorial Guinea which was not covered in volume 2.

Presents a theoritical outline of the techniques in the use of tritiated water (HTO) which can be used to estimate total body water, body composition, water turnover, milk intake and feed intake. Highlights its potential errors and gives a comprehensive methodology for the use of tritiated water under field conditions.

The results of a survey conducted in 1983 among 416 farmers participating in the integrated rural development project (DRI, Colombia) in Atlantico (60), Bolivar (66), Cordoba (156), and Sucre (134), on land use and importance of cassava within the farming system, are presented. Except for Bolivar, where cassava and yam plantings decreased, increased land use attributable to increased credit availability was observed. In general, 1.7 ha cassava was planted per farm in 1982-83, mainly in association with yam, maize, and plantains; 55 percent of the land planted included cassava.

Presents and discusses research results on feed resources, agroindustrial by-products utilisation, forage production, use of crop residues, dairy feeding systems, feeding strategies, introduction and adoption of improved forage technologies, nutritive value of different forages, effects of management on animal performance, effect of supplements on feed utilisation, potential of agricultural by-products as animal feeds, and effects of management on pasture grasses & legumes; and evaluates the utilisation of these results by smallholders.

High elevation páramo (wetland) ecosystems in the Andes are important water sources for local communities and downstream agricultural and urban users. These headwater catchments, however, are often impacted by human activities (eg agricultural production) that affect both stream water quality and flow. Knowledge about water availability, quality, and use is essential for effective management but is often lacking, particularly in smaller mountain communities.