Contribution of browse to ruminant nutrition across three agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso

Abstract

We determined the contribution of ligneous species to the diet of cattle, sheep and goats across three agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso, and assessed their ethno-veterinary uses by livestock keepers. Regular observation and GPS-tracking of one cattle, one sheep and one goat herd each in three villages served the investigation of browsing activities on pasture. Livestock keepers (25 per village) were interviewed on the use of ligneous plants by livestock and for disease treatment, and on changes in use over the past two decades.Across the three zones 75 species were of importance. Cattle preferred Afzelia africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Piliostigma sp., while small ruminants primarily fed on Balanites aegyptiaca, Ziziphus mauritiana and Acacia sp. Contribution of browsing to daily eating time was highest for goats across seasons and zones; for sheep and cattle browsing was important during the hot dry season with no differences between zones. Livestock keepers reported increasing browse use by their animals, while browse species use for traditional animal health care has decreased. The combination of anthropogenic pressures and climate change affect survival and regeneration of the most preferred trees and shrubs, and threaten livestock keepers' current management practices; this needs to be counteracted adequately.