Influence of Communal Area Grazing Management System on the Nutritive Value of Forages Selected by Cattle in a Semi-Arid Area of Zimbabwe

Hungwe Tinoziva,Gandiwa Edson,Mugabe Prisca,Mutisi Charles

doi:10.15580/gjas.2013.3.061713678

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of grazing management system on the nutritive value of forages selected by cattle. Animals were observed while grazing and the grazed samples were collected. The samples were analysed for chemical composition and digestibility. There were significant (P 0.05). These findings suggest that grazing schemes tended to compromise the quality of forages selected under poor range conditions, possibly due to limited range resources. The ability of cattle under traditional grazing system to switch effectively among the different range resources might have enhanced the quality of forages selected.

Highlights

Communal area livestock production systems are inherently inefficient (Ainslie et al, 2002; Baptist, 1990) and productivity is low due to poor management of both stock and rangelands (Cousins, 1987; 1988)
*Corresponding Author Hungwe Tinoziva E-mail: hungwetinoziva forages selected was not affected by grazing system (P>0.05). These findings suggest that grazing schemes tended to compromise the quality of forages selected under poor range conditions, possibly due to limited range resources
In some areas, grazing schemes have been promoted as an attempt to improve livestock production in communal areas

Summary

Introduction

Communal area livestock production systems are inherently inefficient (Ainslie et al, 2002; Baptist, 1990) and productivity is low due to poor management of both stock and rangelands (Cousins, 1987; 1988). One way of improving cattle production in communal areas is to improve grazing management. In most communal areas of Zimbabwe, traditional grazing management is practiced mainly through herding cattle during the rainy season. In some areas, grazing schemes have been promoted as an attempt to improve livestock production in communal areas. Grazing schemes involve fencing of the grazing area and internally dividing the area into paddocks so that rotational grazing can be implemented as veld management practice. The system of rotation recommended in grazing schemes is short duration grazing. Short duration grazing is a multi-paddock, one herd grazing system involving rapid rotation of the livestock (Gillen et al, 1991). Short duration grazing results in reduced percentages of un-grazed plants and improved livestock distribution in the grazing area (Savory, 1978). Rotational grazing management systems curtail rangeland degradation and improve range condition (Vetter and Goqwana, 2000)

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Conclusion