Abstract
South-western Uganda annually experiences prolonged drought that results in dramatic drop in milk production of dairy cattle. This study was conducted to assess the nutritional value and economic benefits of feeding silage and hay to dairy cattle in the sub-region. The cross-sectional study covered seven districts with 105 farmers interviewed during the wet and 45 others in the dry season. Up to 88 soil samples were collected and analyzed for soil texture, soil pH, organic matter and total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Sodium and Magnesium. Likewise, 148 forage (105 fresh, 25 silage and 18 hay) tissues from 21 pasture species were collected and analyzed for nutritional values. Using a questionnaire, data on production costs and milk revenues were collected for cost-benefit analysis. Results showed that silage of Napier grass treated with molasses (10.2 MJ/kg) and hay of naturally established pastures (10.6 MJ/kg) had the highest metabolisable energy (ME) values, while the lowest (8.30 MJ/kg) was for star grass. Hay of star grass presented the highest level of crude protein (21.4%) with maize (corn) showing the lowest (9.38%). Digestibility of hay of naturally established mixed pastures was the highest (64.4%), followed by that of silage of Napier grass treated with molasses (62.0%), while star grass hay had the lowest (52.6%). With exception of silage made from maize, all the other six forms of silage had a good crude protein (CP) content. Regardless of the good CP content (≥9.9%), all silage untreated with additives was poor in quality since its ME was less than 9.9 MJ ME/kg and ration digestibility less than 67%. Nonetheless, feeding of silage and hay increased milk yield and farm productivity with a benefit-cost ratio of 5.5 and 2.7 for silage and hay respectively.
Highlights
Livestock production is one major source of livelihoods for most households in South-western Uganda [1]
Our study observed a change in the grazing system; from pastoral and open grazing systems that were previously dominant in South-western Uganda [16], to semi-intensive grazing system gradually becoming dominant
The results of crude protein (CP) levels for Pennisetum purpureum (NARO Napier 3), Brachiaria mulato and Pennisetum purpureum (NARO Napier 2) were higher than what was reported of these pasture species in Uganda
Summary
Livestock production is one major source of livelihoods for most households in South-western Uganda [1]. Over the past few years, farmers especially those in the dairy sub-sector have gradually shifted from traditional subsistence to market-oriented livestock farming. Due to climate change it has become common for South-western Uganda to experience drought for at least 183 days a year, and dairy farmers have increasingly experienced low productivity of cows due to adverse effects of prolonged drought. During such periods, farmers experience dramatic drop in milk production, with milk yield occasionally dropping to zero. Supported by some organizations including the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and The Inclusive Dairy Enterprise (TIDE) project of SNV Netherlands Development Organization, many farmers in South-western Uganda have shown a desire to adopt fodder preservation including silage and hay making for feeding during the dry seasons
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