Livestock nutrition and feed balance on smallholder farms in Tanqua-Abergelle district, northern Ethiopia.

The present study examined the livestock feed balance of smallholder farmers in Tanqua-Abergelle district of central Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Sixty livestock households were randomly selected from two farmer associations chosen systematically based on their livestock production potential. Data were collected on household characteristics, land holding, livestock ownership, feed inventory, feed supply and feed demand using household interviews (N = 60). Field feed samples were collected and representative samples analysed for dry matter content (DM), metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible crude protein (DCP). Annual DM, ME and DCP supply and demand were estimated using proper scientific procedures. Feed balance was quantified by comparing the feed demand with the supply. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of SPSS statistical software. Crop residues, grazing lands, crop stubble and mixed hay were investigated as the major feed resources for livestock. On average, annual feed production was 3.96 tonnes DM, 30,138 MJ ME and 171 kg DCP at household level for 4.85 TLU. Crop residues contributed to 52 % of the total annual feed supply and grazing lands to 29 %. The feed requirement for maintenance of the livestock holding was estimated at 11.06 tonnes DM, 45,580 MJ ME and 253 kg DCP. The feed balance analysis estimated a 64 % deficiency of dry matter, 34 % of ME and 32 % of protein. Based on the present findings, it is clear that either the quantitative and qualitative feed supply of the livestock must be improved or the number of livestock kept in Tanqua-Abergelle district must be reduced in order to close the feed gap.

Chemical Composition and Digestibility of Major Feed Resources in Tanqua-Abergelle District of Central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: A detailed study on the feed quantity and quality is required to document the available feeds and their nutritional values. AIM: The study was aimed to investigate and document the chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of major feed resources available in Tanqua-Abergelle district of central Tigray, northern Ethiopia. METHODS: Ten different feed resources were evaluated for their nutritive values. Representative feed samples were collected and prepared following appropriate procedures. The samples were subjected to analysis of chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) using proper scientific procedures. RESULTS: Wide variations were observed in nutritive values of the investigated feeds. The highest crude protein (CP) was measured in Atella (15.90%) followed by green grass (13.20%), mill waste (10.90%), groundnut straw (9.18%), and cowpea straw (8.11%) in descending order. Mill waste (11.84 MJ/kg DM) and Atella (11.81 MJ/kg DM) had the highest metabolizable energy (ME) followed by green grass (9.83 MJ/kg DM), groundnut straw (9.28 MJ/kg DM), Teff straw (8.56 MJ/kg DM), and cowpea straw (8.39 MJ/kg DM) in that order. The highest NDF was recorded in groundnut null (79.80%) and the lowest NDF in mill waste (35.00%) and Atella (40.60%). The highest IVDMD was seen in mill waste (81.43%) and Atella (81.21%) and the lowest in groundnut hull (39.95%). CONCLUSION: The nonconventional feeds have moderate protein and reduced fiber contents, and thus, they can be utilized as supplement for poor-quality feeds. These feeds need further investigation using animals to substantiate the current study.

Slaughter performance and meat quality of Begait breed lambs fattened under different diets.

This study was conducted to evaluate slaughter performance and meat quality of Begait sheep breed reared under different feeding options. Thirty intact fattening lambs (32.81 ± 2.39 kg) were used in randomized completely block design with three dietary treatments in ten replicates for a 90 day feeding trial. Dietary treatments constituted grass hay fed ad libitum to all treatments plus supplemented with mixed diet of 48% wheat bran, 15% molasses, 35% cotton seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone (T1); 43% wheat bran, 20% sorghum grain, 35% noug seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone (T2) and 47% wheat bran, 16% molasses, 35% sesame seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone (T3). At the end of the experimental period, six lambs randomly chosen from each treatment were slaughtered to determine the carcass traits and meat quality. Results showed that most carcass and meat traits were affected by diets. Average daily gain (ADG) was higher (P < 0.001) for T3 (158 g/day) than T2 (120 g/day) and T1 (118 g/day). Hot carcass weight (HCW) was higher (P < 0.001) for T3 (19.50 kg) than T2 (17.43 kg) and T1 (17.20 kg). Meat pH (5.43-5.56) and drip loss (3.03-3.23%) were similar (P > 0.05) among all treatments. Meat from animals in T3 (33.97 L∗) was lighter (P < 0.001) than T2 (30.75 L∗) and T1 (29.43 L∗). Shear force and cooking loss were greater (P < 0.05) for T1 (42.6 N and 26.12%) than T2 (40.4 N and 24.39%) and T3 (40.7 N and 24.18%). No variation was seen in meat moisture, protein and ash contents (P > 0.05) while intramuscular fat was higher in T3 (4.18%) than T2 (3.87%) and T1 (3.79%) (P < 0.01). The study indicated that carcass traits and meat quality could be modulated through dietary manipulation.

Effect of supplements on feed utilization of Tigray Highland sheep fed a basal diet of barley straw.

The feeding experiment was conducted at Ofla district, southern Tigray, North Ethiopia, to investigate feed utilization, diet digestibility, and its economic feasibility under different supplementation options. Twenty-four yearling intact growing lambs were used in randomized complete block design with three treatments and eight replications. The treatment diets were T1 (molasses 15% + wheat bran 48% + cotton seed cake 35%), T2 (maize grain 20% + wheat bran 43% + noug seed cake 35%) and T3 (maize grain 20% + wheat bran 33% + dried brewers' grain 45%). The diet was formulated as iso-nitrogenous and each animal has taken daily nutrient requirements according to their body weight. The collected data were analyzed using SAS (2007) statistical software. Economic analysis was done using standard partial budget analysis guidelines of CIMMIT (1988). The crude protein contents of the three treatment rations were comparable across treatments. There was a higher total dry matter intake recorded in animals fed on T3 as compared to the other treatments. The barley straw intake was higher and significant (P < 0.05) for the animals' group in T3 than that of T1 and T2. Animals fed with T3 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher organic matter intake as compared to those fed with T1 and T2. However, there was no significant (P > 0.05) differences in crude protein intake between treatments. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein had no significant differences (P > 0.05) between treatments. Similarly, the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among T1, T2, and T3. In general, animals that fed on T3 achieved better feed utilization and economic return as compared to the others.

Participatory definition of trait preferences and breeding practices of goats in Aba'ala, Afar region: as input for designing genetic improvement program.

A farmer participatory approach was used to identify trait preferences and breeding practices for Afar goat population in Aba'ala district, Afar region, Ethiopia. A rapid field survey followed by purposive sampling was used to identify research sites and 90 households representing agro-pastoral and pastoral production systems were selected purposively. Data were obtained from individual interview, own-flock ranking experiment, and secondary sources. Data management and analysis was done using MS-Excel and SPSS statistical software. The current findings show that goats were primarily kept for milk production (I = 0.33) followed by income generation (I = 0.27) and meat production (I = 0.17) in both production systems. Higher goat flock size per household was observed in the pastoral areas (94.62 ± 30.21goats) as compared to the agro-pastoral (55.56 ± 20.06) (p < 0.05). Coat color, appearance (conformation and body size), and pedigree (dam history for milk) are the top-ranked attributes for selecting breeding buck with index value of 0.28, 0.23, and 19, respectively. Milk yield, coat color, and appearance were also used for selecting breeding does with index values of 0.24, 0.20, and 0.17, respectively. Selection of breeding female is hardly practiced since all females are used for replacement, but breeding buck selection is done in a very young age primarily based on their coat color. The results obtained in this study could be used as input to design genetic improvement programs for goats in Aba'ala. Interventions are needed in expanding veterinary service, improved animal husbandry practices, and selective breeding to enhance the productivity of the goat populations.

WITHDRAWN:Optimization and evaluation of alternative village-based breeding plans: the case of goats in Afar region, Ethiopia

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Livestock feed resources utilization practices in Tanqua-Abergelle district of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

A study was carried out with the objective to assess the utilization practices of local feed resources. It was implemented in Tanqua-Abergelle district of the Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. Lemlem and Gera peasant associations (PAs) were selected purposively based on their potentiality in livestock resources and road access for household (HH) interview purpose. Likewise, Sheka-Tekli and Hadinet PAs were chosen for the purpose of focus group discussion (FGD). A total of 60 HHs (30 from each PA) were selected randomly for interview using semi-structured questionnaire. About 16 % of the respondents were female HHs. Two FGDs were held with key informants. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (2013, version 21) statistical software procedures. The study area is characterized by mixed crop-livestock farming system with high interaction between crop and livestock. Livestock are the mainstay for the farm community with many benefits as sources of draught, meat, milk, income, and manures. Cattle are kept primarily for the purpose of draught power with meat and milk as secondary products, whereas shoats are kept mainly for cash income, manure, meat, and milk. The land holding size per HH was 1.44 ha while the herd size was 4.93 tropical livestock unit (TLU). Almost all the land holding (97 %) is allocated for crop cultivation with lesser for forage production (<1 %) indicating poor attention for fodder harvesting. The cattle herd is composed of local breeds (99 %) with less exotic/crossbred (1 %), indicating that the livestock rearing is practiced using local breed. Crop residues, natural pastures, stubble grazing, hay, and browsing are the main feed resources for animals. The availability and contribution of each feed vary with season and areas. Sorghum stover is the main feed source in the area and followed by maize stover, Eragrostis tef straw, and pulse straws. Crop residues are fed as basal diet with no or less supplementation using local concentrates like Attela and mill by-products. Industrial by-products are rarely used in the livestock feeding system for their high price and less availability. Likewise, improved forages are not widely utilized as feed sources.