Availability and quality of feed resources for cattle production in Gamo areas of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to identify farming systems and to evaluate feed resources in three agro-ecologies of Gamo areas by selecting two kebelles from three selected Woredas. The feed samples were collected randomly, stratified based on type, mixed, sub-sampled and analyzed to identify its nutritive value. The major feeds available were crop residues, natural pasture, hay, crop and aftermath. The mean utilizable dry matter (DM) yield of crop residues per household was 3.25, 2.99 and 2.31 tonnes of DM/annum in Genta, Chencha and Mierab Abaya woredas, respectively. All crop residues and stubbles in this study showed low quality roughages that may impose limitations on animal performance. Natural pasture and hay had crude protein (CP) content of 8.8 and 9.3% respectively. Hay and native grass mixture had also high neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content. Similar to crop residues, both native grass and hay could be classified as low roughages, which could impose limitations on feed intake and animal production. The acid detergent fibre (ADF) content of crop residues varied from 37.2% in maize to 38.4% in teff straw. The major challenges of cattle production and productivity in the study area were feed shortage, grate seasonal variability of feeds, and animal diseases. Finally, the study indicated that integrated efforts of different stakeholders were required to improve quantity and quality of feed resources to exploit the potential of cattle in the areas.