Abstract
The pre-extension demonstration of fodder oat technology with its full agronomic practices was done to demonstrate and popularize the newly released oat variety and thereby create awareness for farmers and agricultural extension agents. Two improved fodder oat varieties (Bate and Bonsa) were demonstrated on purposely selected AGP II districts namely; Boneya Boshe, Wayu Tuqa, Guto Gida, Diga, and Horro districts of East and Horro Guduru Wollega zones, respectively. One peasant association (PA) was selected purposely from each district based on forage production potential and compatibility with AGP II criteria. The experiment was demonstrated on a simple plot with a size of 10 x 10 m. Forage dry matter and grain yield data, and farmer perceptions and preferences were collected and analyzed by simple descriptive statistics and pair-wise ranking technique. The varieties showed remarkable variation in their dry matter and grain yield potential across the testing areas. The average dry matter yield performance of the Bate (4.67 t/ha) variety obtained from the farmer's field was relatively higher than Bonsa (4.19 t/ha) variety used as a standard check. Similarly, the average grain yield performance recorded for Bate (31.24 qt ha -1 ) variety was also higher as compared to Bonsa (25.02 qt ha -1 ) variety. Based on the procedure of variety evaluation and selection criteria, farmers set their criteria to evaluate, rank, and select the best variety following the real situation existing. Thus, against each of the criteria and weight attached, Bate variety was selected and ranked first for its high dry matter and grain yield, tolerance to disease and lodging, and leafiness as compared to Bonsa variety. Therefore; it is important to scale up this variety on a larger scale to improve the availability of quality feed and boost the production and productivity of livestock in the area. Keywords : Bate, demonstration, Farmers’ preference, fodder oat, herbage dry matter DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-18-03 Publication date: September 30 th 2021
Highlights
Livestock in Ethiopia derives most of their feed from natural pasture and crop residues
Participatory training was given to participant farmers, experts, and development agents (DA) by Animal feed and extension researchers drawn from the Bako agriculture research center
The theme of the training was mainly focused on the availability of improved fodder oat feed technology for the mid and highland agroecology of western Oromia and its production, management, and utilization systems of the technology
Summary
Livestock in Ethiopia derives most of their feed from natural pasture and crop residues. Grazing (natural pasture) and crop residue which contributes to the higher proportions of livestock feed resources are characterized by high fiber, low protein, minerals, and vitamins (Adugna et al, 2000). For a more efficient and productive livestock industry, cultivation and utilization of nutritious, high-yielding, and low-cost feed technologies that are easy and available within the limit of the resources of poor farmers have paramount importance. With this view, the introduction, evaluation, and dissemination of different improved forage species have been carried so far in different parts of Ethiopia including Western Oromia
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