The present study was conducted to know the fish drying activities, species used in fish drying and marketing channel of dried fish in Kuakata coast of Patuakhali district of Bangladesh. Sea fishes are mostly used for drying and dry fish producers collected raw fishes from arat (landing centers) (70%), fishermen (25%) and little amount from own capture (5%). It was found that 21 fish species were used for drying among them 3 species (Harpadon nehereus, Setipinna phasa, Lepturacanthus savala) were commonly used and other 18 species were fairly used. The peak fish drying season was observed at mid-October to mid-February (in Bengali Kartik to Magh). It was observed that the dry fish producers used salt to produce good quality dry fish and salt mixing rate is 2 kg salt for 30-35 kg raw fish. The duration of drying at normal weather condition is varied between 3-5 days depending on the size of fishes. After drying, the dried fishes were packed in either jute bags or polythene bags and stored at room temperature for marketing. About 95% dried fish products are sold in the wholesale market at Chittagong, Syedpur, and Dhaka and rest 5% sold to the local retail market. However, three (3) step dried fish marketing channels were observed in the study area. The producers sold their product at very lower price and it ranged between Tk. 120-3200 per Kg. The retail price of the dried fishes ranged from Tk. 200-3500 per Kg. The dry fish producers and intermediaries faced various problems like inadequate capital, natural calamities, lack of scientific knowledge and technology, price instability, lack of transport facilities, inadequate storage facilities, lack of physical marketing facilities and marketing information.

Dairy calves must be fed appropriately to meet their nutritional needs, supporting optimal growth and development to achieve the recommended target age at first calving (AFC) of 24 months. Traditional restricted milk feeding practices suppress growth, contribute to negative welfare states and may result in malnutrition and immunosuppression. In this study a total of eight high yielding calves (four Holstein Friesian and four Sahiwal breed) whose average body weight was 44.8 kg and 58 kg respectively. The supplied calf starter was composed of maize crushed, rice polish, wheat bran, gram broken, mustard oil cake, vitamin mineral premix, molasses and common salt. Calf starter was supplied initially 0.25 kg/day/calf in equal halves to the experimental calves twice a day i.e. at 7.00 AM and 12.30 PM and gradually increase upto 1 kg/d/calf. Average body weight gain, wither height gain, body length gain, barrel height gain, and hip height gain in Sahiwal and Holstein Friesian calves were 65.97±1.04 Kg, 31.04±1.13 inch, 32.34±1.46 inch, 12.80±0.71 inch, 35.05±1.27 inch, and 53.61±2.41 Kg, 29.78±1.17 inch, 30.93±1.66 inch 11.78±0.66 inch, 33.44±1.41 inch respectively. Our study concluded to establish a consensus on calf feeding standards which support physiological function, facilitate weaning, support growth targets and ensure calf health and welfare is protected.

Soil physico-chemical properties are an important phenomenon for sustainable crop production and maintenance of optimum soil health. Hence, a laboratory measurement was conducted with soil samples of three years long experimental field of the Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to assess the changes in five selected soil physico-chemical properties viz. soil texture, bulk density, soil pH, total nitrogen and organic matter. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with two water regimes (continuous flooding and alternate wetting & drying) in the main plots and five fertilizer treatments (N₀ - control, N₁- 140 kg N/ha as PU, N₂- 104 kg N/ha as USG (2× 1.8 g/ 4 hills), N₃ - 5 t CD + PU @ 140 kg N /ha on IPNS basis and N₄- 5 t CD + USG (2× 1.8 g/ 4 hills @ 104 kg N/ha)) in the subplots under rice-rice cropping pattern with three replications. After three years, soil samples were collected at 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil depths for measuring bulk density and at 0-10 cm depth for other soil properties and analyzed. Results found that % sand, % silt, % clay, bulk density and soil pH was not changed significantly compared to initial status. Percentage of total nitrogen and organic matter was significantly affected by irrigation and fertilization. Total nitrogen (%) was higher in AWD whereas organic matter (%) was higher in CF practice. The highest total nitrogen (%) and organic matter (%) was found in N₄ treatment in which USG was applied in combination with cowdung as organic manure. It can be suggested that N₄ treatment was formed good combination for sustaining chemical properties of soil. Further long- term experimentation will be needed to know the changes in soil properties for sustainable crop production and improving soil health.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the growth and reproductive performances of Hilly Brown Bengal (HBB) goats of different generations and conducted at Naikhongchari Regional Station Research Farm of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute. Goats were reared in a plastic slated floor under semi-intensive system and were allowed to graze for 6-7 hours per day. Animals were given a concentrate mixture containing 17% CP, 11 MJ ME/kg DM provided twice daily in the morning and evening at the rate of 1% of their body weight. All goats were kept separately according to sex and age groups to avoid random mating. Natural mating program was performed to improve the economically important traits. Goats were de-wormed and diping on regular intervals and only PPR vaccine was given at the age of 2 months. Data on productive, reproductive and disease incidence of goat were recorded regularly and were analyzed. Results showed that Kid Birth Weight of HBB goats were significantly (P<0.01) differ among generations. Birth weight of G₃ (1.21±0.013 kg) was higher than G₅, G₄, G₂ and G₁ (1.11±0.01 kg). Goat body weight of 3, 6 and 9 months age were non-significant among generations. The age and weight at first conception were significantly (p<0.05) differ among generation. Age at first conception was lower of G₄ (301.57±9.06 days) and higher of G₁ (259.80±18.87 days) but body weight at first conception of G₁ (12.23±0.47 kg) was higher and G₄ was lower (10.65±0.52 kg). Age at first kidding, gestation length and kidding interval was not significant (P>.05) effect on generations. Parity had no significant (P>.05) effect on kid birth weight but significantly (p<0.01) differ of Kid litter weight and litter size. According to birth type single kid was highest birth weight (1.21±0.08 kg) than double kid followed by triplet and quadruplet. Mortality percentage of HBB kids at the age of 0-90 days were 13.08±0.23%. It may be concluded that kid birth weight, age and weight at first conception of HBB goat were significantly (P<.05)  affected on generation but age at first kidding, gestation length and kidding interval were non significantly (P<.05)  affected.