Nguyen Huu Van

To facilitate the adoption of a food safety standard by producers, it is essential to understand their perception of it. However, few empirical studies have examined how livestock farmers perceive food safety standards in Vietnam. This research examines sheep farmers’ attitudes towards Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP), a type of a food safety standard in Vietnam. A sample size of 109 farmers was selected for interviews and a structured questionnaire was generated to collect data. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were employed. The study results show that sheep farmers were well aware of most VietGAP requirements. They perceived that adopting VietGAP requires practical changes in sheep farming systems, including: selecting breeding stock from clear sources to ensure sheep product traceability, collecting and treating wastes daily to protect the environment, and frequent sterilization of sheep cages. The farmers were changing several practices to comply with VietGAP. Key changed practices identified included: bought breeding stock from clear and reliable sources, frequent collecting and treating of sheep wastes, and used veterinary medicine according to instructions of veterinary medicine producers. Statistically significant relationships existing between the sheep farmers’ perceptions and their education level (Pearson = 0.229, p = 0.017), farm size (Pearson = −0.193; p = 0.049), gender (Eta = 0.173, p = 0.060), practice of using labours (Eta = 0.202, p = 0.028), training participation (Eta = 0.211, p = 0.022), credit participation (Eta = 0.177, p = 0.050), community-based organisations (Eta = 0.153, p = 0.087), and veterinary/extension contacts (Eta = 0.217, p = 0.019) were found. This means that a male sheep farmer who had a higher education level, possessed a smaller farm, practiced hired labours, participated in training/credit programs, was a member of community-based organisation, and had contacts with veterinary/extension workers likely perceived VietGAP better than their counterparts. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that the promotion of VietGAP for livestock farmers should be developed and carried out as joint attempts along the value chain actors. New food marketing practices and legal framework and policy for using safe food certifications are required to address to promote farmers’ adoption of VietGAP and facilitate transition towards a sustainable agri-food system in Vietnam. This study provides significant insights into safety food standard adoption by livestock farmers and highlights aspects that require to be considered when developing policies to improve the adoption of safety food standards in developing countries.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the intron 2 region of the leptin (LEP) gene and the 5’ untranslated region of the thyroglobulin (TG5) gene across four crossbred beef cattle populations, including Blanc Bleu Belge × Lai Brahman (BLB), Charolais × Lai Brahman (CLB), Droughtmaster × Lai Brahman (DLB), and Red Angus × Lai Brahman (RLB) raised in Central Vietnam. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 tail hair root samples (50 per group) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The PCR-RFLP method was utilized to analyze the LEP and TG5 gene polymorphisms using the restriction enzymes Sau3AI and PsuI, respectively. Results: The SNPs of LEP/Sau3AI and TG5/PsuI were present in all populations, with a lower frequency of the LEPB allele compared to LEPA. The LEPAA genotype was most common, followed by LEPAB and LEPBB; notably, the LEPBB genotype was absent in the CLB group. The Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was observed for LEP/Sau3AI in the CLB and BLB populations. Conversely, the TG5CT genotype dominated all groups, with no individuals exhibiting the TG5TT genotype. None of the populations achieved Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for TG5/PsuI. The level of polymorphism was moderate for LEP/Sau3AI in RLB and BLB and for TG5/PsuI across all groups. Conclusion: The SNPs of LEP/Sau3AI and TG5/PsuI may serve as valuable tools for genomic selection. By focusing on increasing the frequency of the TG5T allele, breeding programs can more effectively enhance beef marbling and other important traits, leading to improved beef quality and greater economic outcomes in the cattle industry.

Background and Aim: A Luoi Yellow cattle is an indigenous cattle breed that is raised in the A Luoi District, Vietnam, characterized by its small body size, high adaptability, and meat quality favored by domestic consumers. Marker-assisted selection is an effective approach for improving breeding genetics and sustainably developing livestock production. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and polymorphism of genes associated with meat quality and productivity in the A Luoi Yellow cattle population with the goal of future breeding selection and sustainable development of the A Luoi Yellow beef brand. Materials and Methods: In this study, we genotyped six functional genes, including Leptin (LEP), Calpastatin (CAST), Calpain 1, pleomorphic adenoma gene 1, Sirtuin 1, and Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2), involved in meat quality and growth traits using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphis. We also investigated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the Y chromosome-specific gene on the Y chromosome to elucidate the genetic diversity and paternal and maternal origin of the A Luoi Yellow cattle using Sanger sequencing. Results: The results showed that A Luoi yellow cattle have Bos indicus origin from both paternal and maternal lineages. By mtDNA analysis, we identified two new haplotypes of the I1 haplogroup that were not previously detected. The genotyping of the six functional genes indicated that A Luoi Yellow cattle carry favorable alleles that increase meat tenderness and body size, with frequencies of 0.02–0.40. In particular, the presence of desirable homozygous genotypes of the CAST, LEP, and SIRT2 genes will be important for the future selection of animals based on their potential performance in meat quality and productivity. Conclusion: The findings of this study is useful for the future breeding and sustainable development of A Luoi Yellow cattle. Keywords: A Luoi yellow cattle, growth trait, indels, meat tenderness, single nucleotide polymorphisms.

The Phan Rang sheep, considered the sole indigenous breed of Vietnam, are primarily concentrated in the two central provinces of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, with Ninh Thuan accounting for more than 90% of the country’s sheep population. These provinces are known for their high temperatures and frequent droughts. The long-standing presence of the Phan Rang sheep in these regions suggests their potential resilience to heat stress—a trait of increasing interest in the face of global climate change. Despite the breed’s significance, a critical knowledge gap hinders conservation and breeding programs. To address this, our study employed a two-pronged approach. First, we collected body conformational data to aid in breed identification. Second, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA (D-loop) and Y chromosome markers (SRY and SRYM18) to elucidate the maternal and paternal lineages. Among the 68 Phan Rang sheep analyzed for their D-loop, 19 belonged to mitochondrial haplogroup A, while 49 belonged to haplogroup B. The haplogroups can be subdivided into 16 unique haplotypes. All 19 rams surveyed for their paternal lineages belonged to haplotypes H5 and H6. These findings strongly support the hypothesis of dual origins for the Phan Rang sheep. This study presents the first genetic data for the Phan Rang breed, providing crucial insights for future research and conservation efforts.

This study assessed the goat-fattening system among households, its economic efficiency, and farmers` constraints in goat fattening. A survey was conducted with 30 goat farmers randomly selected in Nghe An province. The results showed that goats are kept confined and fed a high level of commercial concentre (46-60%) in the diet. Two types of goats have been used for fattening: growing goats and culled female goats and two types of breeds (Co breed/Lao goat and Boer crossbred). The average fattening farm size was 88.2 goats/period. The weight of fattened goats for selling was from 29.0 to 38.3kg/head and live weight gain was from 3.7-5.4 kg/head/month. The profit of goat fattening was relatively good, from 494-590.8 thousand VND/goat/period (2-4 months). The goat fattening was a profitable alternative income opportunity for farmers in the study areas. Most of the farmers are facing difficulties in disease control, high prices of commercial concentrate, and unstable markets. The study suggests that extension programs need to improve the capacity of farmers in goat fattening techniques and disease management, as well as establish a sustainable linkage in the goat value chains for the sustainable development of goat farming.

Goats are produced in Laos on a small scale and most of them are exported to Vietnam, where they receive a price approximately 30% higher than Vietnamese crossbred goats. In 2021, Laos exported 2.2 million dollars in sheep and goats, mostly to Vietnam (2.19 million dollars). Vietnam was also the fastest-growing export market for sheep and goats of Laos between 2020 and 2021, comprising 66.7% of the total exports. This study aims to analyze the goat value chain from Laos to Vietnam and, based on its characteristics, to suggest policy interventions for the socio-economic sustainable development of the chain. This research analyzes a sample of 400 survey interviews of goat chain actors collected during the second and third quarters of 2022, with the support of CommCare software version 2.53.1. The results show that the Lao goat chain has four main functions implemented by four prominent actors: goat-rearing farmers, traders, abattoir owners, and restaurant owners. However, the role of input suppliers is unclear in this chain. Support to the stakeholders has been provided by local authorities and the government, projects and NGOs, technical supporters, and license supporters. There was not any clear evidence of the goat processing industry. Vertical and horizontal linkages between stakeholders exist, but agreements are primarily oral. There is no declaration of leading actors, and a traceability system has yet to be implemented. The increase in Lao goat exports to the Vietnamese market is driven by the high demand from Vietnamese consumers. The commercialization of goats’ yields provides a positive net income in Lao, where all actors benefit, especially traders and restaurant owners. The chain also creates job opportunities and income that improve living standards, especially for disadvantaged groups, such as women, middle-aged people, people with low literacy, and those living in rural areas. For the sustainable development of the chain, this research recommends that the Lao and Vietnamese governments work together to develop more favorable conditions for goat trading, to improve the traceability across the goat chain, to promote goat husbandry and feeding practices, and to foster goat farmer collaboration by sharing goat-rearing experiences.

| The study aimed to evaluate the biomass yield, chemical composition and ensiling techniques of whole-plant sunflower Aguara 6. In Exp. 1, whole sunflower plant was harvested at the seeding period (SP) to measure biomass yield, chemical composition and energy values. Results showed that, fresh biomass yield was 62 tonnes/ha, in which, heads consisting of 46.8% with the highest, leave accounting for 35.5% and stems consisting of 17.7% as fresh matter with the lowest proportion. The dry matter (DM) content of the whole plant was 17.5% DM, in which 13.5% CP, 45.8% NDF, 44% ADF and 20.7% Lignin; and DE and ME values for ruminants were 3,436 and 2,818 kcal/kg DM, respectively. In Exp. 2, eight treatments included: Control (CTL) – without any additives; Salt 0.5% added to CTL (SCTL); Cassava byproduct added to CTL at 5, 10 and 15% (CB5, CB10 and CB15, respectively); Molasses added to CTL at 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% (M2.5, M5.0 and M7.5, respectively). Samples were collected at day 0, 7, 14 and 21 for pH and ammonia, and day 0 and 21 for chemical analysis. Results indicated that after 21 days of ensiling, the pH value of silage in 8 treatments were lower than 4.5. There was no effect of additives and their level inclusions on ensiled sunflowers nutritive values. Change in organic matter was found with 0.7-2.3% unit in all treatments. In general, whole Aguara 6 sunflower can be ensiled and has a potential for ruminants.