Abstract
There is a growing interest in protein supplementation of dairy-cow diets using leguminous shrubs. The study objective was to ascertain the association between diet supplementation with Calliandra calothyrsus and Sesbania sesban and milk production in dairy cattle on commercial smallholder farms. This trial involved 235 cows from 80 smallholder dairy farms in Kenya randomly allocated to 4 intervention groups: (1) receiving Calliandra and Sesbania and nutritional advice; (2) receiving reproductive medicines and advice; (3) receiving both group 1 and 2 interventions; and (4) receiving neither intervention. Farm nutritional practices and management data were collected in a questionnaire, and subsequent physical examinations, mastitis tests, and milk production of cows on the farm were monitored approximately monthly for 16 months. Descriptive and univariable statistical analyses were conducted, and multivariable mixed-model regression was used for identification of factors associated (P < 0.05) with daily milk production. The mean milk production was 6.39 liters/cow/day (SD = 3.5). Feeding Calliandra/Sesbania to cows was associated (P < 0.0005) with an increase in milk produced by at least 1 liter/cow/day with each kg fed. Other variables positively associated with ln daily milk production in the final model included feeding of Napier grass, amount of silage and dairy meal fed, body condition score, and appetite of the cow. Other variables negatively associated with ln daily milk production in the final model included amount of maize germ fed, days in milk, sudden feed changes, pregnancy, and subclinical mastitis. In conclusion, our field trial data suggest that use of Calliandra/Sesbania through agroforestry can improve milk production in commercial smallholder dairy farms in Kenya. Agroforestry land use systems can be adopted as a way for dairy farmers to cope with feed shortages and low crude protein in farm-available feeds for their cows.
Highlights
In Kenya, like other East African countries, inadequate nutrition is a major constraint affecting the production and reproduction of dairy cattle [1]. e average daily milk production per cow in most dairy enterprises is estimated to be about 6–7 liters/cow/day which is approximately 70% lower than that of cows in developed countries [2]. is milk production is predominantly attributed to crossbreeds of local breeds (e.g., Brahma, Zebu) with exotic breeds (e.g., Friesian, Jersey, Guernsey, and Ayrshire)
Ese leguminous shrubs utilized in the trial are high in protein and, supplement the crude protein (CP) necessary for good milk production in dairy cows feeding on poor-quality feed [13, 18, 23]. is trial result was similar to findings observed on SDFs in another part of central Kenya [29] where milk production was observed to increase by 0.4 kg/ day when Calliandra/Sesbania was fed to a cow
While acknowledging the shortcomings of this study, these results indicate that the effects of Calliandra and Sesbania supplementation observed in studies done on large-scale or research farms can be effectively translated to SDFs as observed in our intervention approach
Summary
In Kenya, like other East African countries, inadequate nutrition is a major constraint affecting the production and reproduction of dairy cattle [1]. e average daily milk production per cow in most dairy enterprises is estimated to be about 6–7 liters/cow/day which is approximately 70% lower than that of cows in developed countries [2]. is milk production is predominantly attributed to crossbreeds of local breeds (e.g., Brahma, Zebu) with exotic breeds (e.g., Friesian, Jersey, Guernsey, and Ayrshire). The impact of inadequate nutrition on dairy farms in Kenya was most felt in the dry season (June–October), where production decreased as good quality feeds dwindled and became more expensive [4, 5]. E impacts of feed shortage on milk production are exacerbated by inadequate knowledge and technology on feed conservation [7]. Erefore, high costs of feeding dairy cows during these dry seasons progressively lead to high production expenses that hamper growth and profitability of SDFs [6]. To address this production challenge of inadequate nutrition, most farmers prefer to provide home-grown feeds to reduce feed costs; use of crop residues is the most common coping strategy [7]. Dry maize stover is a poorquality feed estimated to have an average crude protein (CP) of 2.5% and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of 70% [4]
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