Feed Scarcity Research Articles

An evaluation of a Browse-aid at the doorsteps of (agro)pastoralists to improve consumption of in situ browses and shrubs and prevent animal deaths during droughts

BackgroundThousands of animals die in Ethiopia during droughts due to unavailability of feed. Large amounts of browses are available during droughts, which animals do not consume because of the presence of tannins. The hypothesis of the study was that the provision of small amounts of Browse-aid (polyethylene glycol-4000) to animals at farmers’ doorsteps would increase browse consumption and body weight gain, and prevent deaths during droughts.MethodsA field study was conducted at two sites in Ethiopia to assess the dietary inclusion of the Browse-aid (daily 5 g and 10 g for shoats; and 15 g and 30 g for cattle) to farmers’ sheep, goats and cattle in areas devoid of grasses during a very dry spell.ResultsInclusion of the Browse-aid to sheep and goats significantly increased the percent body weight gain, and improved the body condition score, skin coat appearance and shine in eyes when compared with those of animals not given the Browse-aid. Similar results were observed in cattle. The foraging frequency of the animals also increased. Nutrient availability to the animals from the increased consumption of browses also increased. Furthermore, the body condition scores of the animals given the Browse-aid were greater than those of the animals that did not participate in the trial but were grazing in the same area.ConclusionBrowse-aid made a positive impact on the production of animals during periods of severe feed scarcity. This strategy of providing the Browse-aid (daily 5 g for sheep and goats, and 15 g for cattle) to animals during droughts is highly cost effective; additionally, compared with currently used feeding strategies, the cost in late 2023 was 60% and 90% lower for sheep and goats, and cattle respectively to prevent animals from dying during droughts. A large number of animals can be prevented from dying during droughts, at a much-reduced cost by the dietary inclusion of a small amount of the Browse-aid. The implications of the study are not restricted to Ethiopia but extend to countries in the Horn of Africa. This is the first study that has investigated the effect of the Browse-aid at the farmers’ doorsteps in the field.

Fodder trees: Identification, leaf biomass yield, nutritional quality and socioeconomic importance in Essera district, Dawuro zone, southwest Ethiopia

The scarcity of feed in terms of quantity and quality tremendously impacts livestock productivity in Ethiopia. Using fodder trees (FTs) as livestock feed could partially overcome this gap. Thus, the present study aimed to identify species, estimate leaf biomass yield (LBY), evaluate nutritional quality and assess the socioeconomic importance of FTs in the Essera district. The study sites and households (HHs) were selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Data on the socioeconomic importance of FTs were collected from 134 randomly selected HHs. Ten FT species were evaluated for LBY determination, and 15 FTs (including nine FT species) were evaluated for nutritional quality across three agroecologies (AEs). In total, 34 FTs were identified at the species level. The overall mean of LBY of the FTs ranged from 14.32 to 370.94 kg/tree, with the lowest and highest values of 10.85 and 430.27 kg/tree at mid- and low-altitudes, respectively. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in the chemical composition of the selected FTs was observed between AEs. The overall mean of dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents of the FTs ranged from 90.03 to 93.55 %, 6.26–16.52 %, 13.05–25.50 %, 33.06–50.42 %, 25.58–34.52 %, and 4.19–8.38 %, respectively. Moreover, the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of the FTs ranged from 37.80 to 67.89 %. The results indicated that the overall mean tannin, phytate, and oxalate contents were 2.84 ± 0.12 %, 0.60 ± 0.05 %, and 1.66 ± 0.21 %, respectively. Antinutritional factors (ANFs) were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by FT species. In addition to feed sources, FTs were used for air pollution reduction (52.2 %), income generation (44.0 %), and soil erosion prevention (34.3 %) in the studied areas. In conclusion, due to the high CP content, high digestibility potential, low to moderate fibre and lignin contents, and tolerable levels of ANFs in FTs, the use of FTs as supplementary feed to livestock in the study area is recommended. Further experimental studies should be conducted on the impact of FTs on livestock performance.

Awareness and use of improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households in the West African Sahel.

Seasonal scarcity of quality feed continues to be a bottleneck for agro-pastoralists and is the most important limitation to livestock production in agro-pastoral systems in the West African Sahel. In this regard, diverse promising technologies to increase the production and availability of quality feed have been introduced. Despite the introduction of various feed technologies in the region, the adoption rate by smallholder farmers is very low. The objective of this study was to identify factors affecting the likelihood of using improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households in two regions of Niger. A logit model was employed using data collected from randomly selected 218 agro-pastoral households between February and April 2023. The study revealed low awareness and use of improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households. The findings suggested the positive impact of education level, membership of farmer groups and ownership of small ruminant on enhancing the probability of using improved livestock feed technologies. Households' geographical area was one of the determinant factors in using improved livestock feed technologies. The use of improved livestock feed technologies was also influenced by family size. The study provides guidance to inform strategies by the decision-makers to enhance the utilization of improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households in the West African Sahel. Suggested strategies may in turn alleviate the current problem of low productivity of livestock, contribute to improving household food security and nutrition among agro-pastoral communities.

Cattle Artificial Insemination Service in Developing Countries: Efficiency, Major Challenges and Economic Loss: A Review

This review paper summarizes information on the efficiency, major challenges and economic loss of cattle Artificial Insemination (AI) service in developing countries. Efficiency of AI service can be measured by number of services per conception (NSC), conception rate at first insemination, and calving rate (CR). The optimum recommended NSC for profitable dairy cow ranges from 1.0-2.0. The averages of NSC of the conventional AI (1.73) and fixed time AI (1.78) in the reviewed publications were in the ranges of the recommendations of NSC. The NSC varies with animal breeds, animal factor (body condition score, age and parity), semen factor (handling procedure and quality), inseminator factor (knowledge, skill and experience), production systems, management level provided and AI breeding methods. The NSC and calving rate vary with conventional AI and fixed time AI breeding methods. Likewise, calving rate (CR) is influenced by poor semen quality, poor semen handling procedure, inadequate insemination skill, poor oestrus detection and wrong time of insemination. The average success rate (CR) of conventional AI (35.15%) in the reviewed publications is far below the success rates reported in some developing countries. Nevertheless, widespread use and longtime use of AI service on selected genotype(s) can cause cattle biodiversity loss. Dairy producers incur additional costs when cows fail to conceive at their first AI services. Moreover, challenges of AI service comprised of feed scarcity, animal diseases, climate change, poor AI infrastructure, poor livestock husbandry practices, weak livestock extension systems and incapability of Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs). This calls designing suitable interventions to improve the efficiency of AI services. Adequate feed and high level of management should be provided to the breedable cows and heifers. AI service centers should be established as per the recommended number of breedable cows and heifers. AI inputs including AITs should be always available at each AI service center, and proper AI service recording should be practiced. Sexed semen should be used to enhance the number of replacement heifers, and capacity building should be provided to AITs and community cattle breeders. Radio, television and printed medias should be used to enhance the awareness of the community cattle breeders. Frequent extension support is essential for the success rate of the AI service.

Nutritional upgrade of olive mill stone waste, walnut shell and their mixtures by applying solid state fermentation initiated by Pleurotus ostreatus

Present study concerns the transformation of the agro-industrial by-products olive mill stone waste (OMSW) and walnut shell (WS) to a protein-enriched animal feedstuff utilizing the solid state fermentation (SSF) technique. For this purpose, various mixtures of these by-products were exploited as substrates of the SSF process which was initiated by the P. ostreatus fungus. The respective results indicated that the substrate consisted of 80% WS and 20% OMSW afforded the product with the highest increase in protein content, which accounted the 7.57% of its mass (69.35% increase). In addition, a 26.13% reduction of lignin content was observed, while the most profound effect was observed for their 1,3–1,6 β-glucans profile, which was increased by 3-folds reaching the 6.94% of substrate’s mass. These results are indicative of the OMSW and WS mixtures potential to act as efficient substrate for the development of novel proteinaceous animal feed supplements using the SSF procedure. Study herein contributes to the reintegration of the agro-industrial by-products aiming to confront the problem of proteinaceous animal feed scarcity and reduce in parallel the environmental footprint of the agro-industrial processes within the context of circular economy.

Feed balances for ruminant livestock: gridded estimates for data−constrained regions

Demand for animal−source foods and livestock feed are forecast to increase across sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, there is a need to estimate the availability of livestock feed to support decision−making at local, sub-national and national levels. In this study, we assess feed balances for ruminant livestock in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. Feed availability was estimated using remotely sensed products and detailed feed composition data. Feed requirements were estimated for maintenance, growth, lactation, gestation and locomotion using a data−intensive model. Biomass available as animal feed was estimated to be 8.6 tonnes of DM per hectare in the Ethiopian highlands and midlands, 3.2 tonnes DM per hectare in the Ethiopian lowlands, 2.9 tonnes DM per hectare in Burkina Faso’s Sudanian agro-ecological zone and 1.0 tonne DM per hectare in the Sahel. The energy requirements of lactating cows were estimated to be 62.1 Megajoules (MJs) per animal per day in the Ethiopian highlands and midlands, 62.7 MJ in the Ethiopian lowlands, 88.5 MJ in Burkina Faso’s Sudanian agro-ecological zone and 53.1 MJ per animal per day in the Sahel. Feed scarcity hotspots are most prominently located in the Ethiopian highlands and the Sahelian agro-ecological zone of Burkina Faso. Demand−side policy and investment initiatives can address hotspots by influencing herd sizes, nutritional requirements and herd mobility. Supply−side policy and investment initiatives can secure existing feed resources, develop new sources of feed and incentivise trade in feed resources. Improving feed balances will be of value to decision−makers with the aims of optimising livestock productivity, minimising exposure to climatic shocks and minimising greenhouse gas emission intensity.

Constraints and recommendation for countrywide extension of artificial insemination in buffalo, goat and sheep

Background: The workshop aimed to identify the constraints and way forward to extend the artificial insemination in buffalo, sheep and goat countrywide. Methods: A day long workshop was organized jointly by the Coastal Vet Society Bangladesh (CVS-BD) and Grameen Jano Unnayan Sangstha (GJUS) at Bangladesh Development Society conference hall in Barishal district of Bangladesh. A total of 100 stakeholders in different aspect were joined in this workshop. Results: On the workshop, the constraints were lack of buffalo, sheep and goat breeding policy, recording systems, knowledge about the high-yielding breed, scarcity of quality feed, fodder and pasture land, lack of technical skills in reproduction and production personal, no or limited facilities to breed improvement technologies, lack of breeding infrastructure, non-availability of proven sire, no coordination among farmers, researchers, public and private organization, universities as well as other beneficiaries. The recommendations to overcome those constraints were to build up and strengthening the breeding policies and infrastructure, continuous up-gradation of native breed by high yielding breeds or varieties, adopted with assisted reproductive technologies, frequently advertise the beneficial aspects of buffalo milk and meat, development of manpower by technical training, national and international collaboration should be strengthened, private investment should be encouraged and alternative feed supply is needed to warrant. Conclusion: It is concluded that an initiative through public and private partnership or collaboration is needed to extent the artificial insemination program in buffalo, sheep and goat countrywide.

Prevalence of Foetal Wastage in Jalingo Abattoir: A Retrospective Study

Indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant animals in the abattoir often results to wastage of foetuses. This study investigated the prevalence of foetal wastage in Jalingo abattoir. The study is an eleven years’ retrospective study (2012 - 2022). The data for the study were obtained from the abattoir records for the study period. The study examined the number of cows slaughtered and the number of foetuses wasted in the abattoir as well as the seasonal variation in the prevalence of foetal wastage. Out of the total of 163,647 cattle slaughtered in the abattoir, 141,607 (86.5%) were cows. A total of 17,220 (12.2%) foetuses were wasted within the study period. About 6.4% of foetal wastages occurred in the dry season and 5.8% occurred in the rainy season. The study also found out that for every 8 cows slaughtered in the abattoir 1 foetus is wasted. It is recommended that pregnancy examination of cows should be carried out by experts such as veterinarians before slaughter and that farmers should use alternative means of feeding their animals such as hay as against the traditional grazing which often result to selling off even pregnant animals when there is scarcity of feed which has effect on cattle population in the study area.

What determine livestock feed and marketing? Insights from rural Ethiopia

In sub-Saharan Africa where farmers undergo rapid losses of grazing lands and pasture areas, they face feed scarcity and poor animal marketing. In response, farmers make non-separable decisions on feed production and livestock marketing. Under the context of non-separable decision, however, factors affecting livestock feed collection and marketing are unclear in the literature. With the aim of addressing such a gap, this study has proposed two research questions: (1) what factors determine household's decisions on feed collection and livestock marketing? (2) Does feed collection influence livestock marketing? For the analysis, cross sectional data were gathered from 689 households in rural Ethiopia. While Tobit model was used to determine feed collection, two-stage Heckman model was deployed to identify key factors affecting livestock marketing. The study found that household's access to communal land, size of livestock holding, share-in land and own farmlands had positive and significant influence on feed collection. This urges farmers to involve in livestock marketing via selling their extra yield. Increased feed collection from communal and croplands leads to improve animal productivity. Econometric results further showed that household's education and access to training were influencing feed collection and livestock marketing positively. It also confirmed that feed collection and provision of credit services had significant effects on livestock marketing. The study further showed that livestock marketing was hardly realized without gathering feed from communal and private lands, which also entails the need to maintain the environment. This study is useful because it provides the significant roles of farm education, animal holding, credit services, communal and private lands in improving access to feed sources. The findings suggest the need for augmenting land conservation, introducing improved animal breeds and enhancing farmers’ capacity. These interventions ought to be supplemented with provision of credit services and follow up trainings.

Unlocking animal genetic resources for enhanced productivity: The power lies in the genes

This article underscores the glaring divide in the application of animal breeding science between developed and developing countries, shedding light on the success of developed countries in leveraging breeding techniques for sustainable productivity and robust livestock industries. In contrast, developing countries grapple with challenges in recognizing the value of animal genetics as a transformative science to optimize their livestock production. Beyond the conventional barriers such as feed scarcity, high prices, and climate shifts, commonly attributed to poor livestock productivity in developing nations, the crux of the issue lies in the misconceptions surrounding genetics. The article contends that a comprehensive understanding of within-breed variation is pivotal to assess and appreciate animals based on their genetic potential, emphasizing that genes, not phenotypes, drive progress across generations. To address these challenges, specific breeding measures are advocated, and collaborative organizations among livestock owners are deemed essential. However, the scarcity of animal breeders, well-versed in classical genetics, poses a significant hurdle. Despite global initiatives from international and regional organizations, impactful change at the grassroots level remains limited. While acknowledging the transformative role of the digital revolution, it underscores the enduring value of traditional hands-on workshops, especially in pilot projects with local communities and large-scale farmers. For nations lacking established genetic improvement programs, adopting FAO guidelines is advised as a prudent starting point. In essence, the article advocates a holistic approach to bridge the gap and foster inclusive development in the realm of animal breeding science.

CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS SHEEP HUSBANDRY PRACTICES IN WESTERN ZONE OF TIGRAY REGION, ETHIOPIA

The survey was conducted before the ignition of the war in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia (before October 2020). The objective of the survey was to characterize the husbandry practices of three indigenous sheep populations. A total of 253 households were randomly involved in the face-to-face interview. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences software was used for data analysis. Illiterates (34 %) and respondents, who attended lower primary school (44 %), were the major categories of the respondents. A mean (± SD) flock size of 7.91 ± 11.4 Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU) of indigenous sheep of the three genotypes were kept under extensive husbandry practices, however, the indigenous sheep population (55 %) trend was at a decreasing state in the last ten years. There was lower mean flock size in Arado (11.72 ± 8.0) than in Begait (85.07 ± 90.1) and Rutanna (223.08 ± 170.5) sheep. The decreasing state of communal grazing area (97 %) resulted in seasonal feed scarcity (96 %) in the last five years. Hence, feed supplementation was in 74 % of the respondents done in the dry season. Animals of most respondents (71 %) go to water source to drink water. It was noted that most animals drank water once a day (63 %) in the dry season. It was also noted that sheep fattening (4 %) was a neglected activity. There were sheep production challenges (100 %) and opportunities (72 %). Diseases (86 %) and external parasites (80 %) were major constraints in sheep production. However, lack of veterinary service (78 % no service) centre was a critical challenge. Practices of own ram-ewe mating (68 %), own flock born rams (51 %), uncontrolled mating (66 %), pure breeding (86 %) and use of rams outside of their flocks (79 %) were practiced in the indigenous sheep populations. Unknown ram-to-ewe ratio (26.9 %) and a ratio of one-ram-to-all-ewes in a flock (29.6 %) were practiced. Ram castration (35 %) was practiced to improve carcass quality (32 %). Feed development, shift to modern husbandry practices, access to veterinary services, indigenous sheep conservation through utilization, control of inbreeding, ram-to-ewe ratio, fattening and castration should be of future attention of farmers and stakeholders.

Management practices and cow comfort of crossbred dairy cows in youth managed dairy farm enterprises, South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Good dairy farming methods and cow comfort are essential variables in reproductive efficiency, milk output, milk quality, and dairy cow health. The purpose of this study was to look into the management techniques and cow comfort status of crossbred dairy cows in youth managed dairy farm enterprises in Ethiopia's Amhara region's South Gondar zone. All (20) youth-managed dairy farm enterprises were chosen and questioned using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, and all (204) lactation dairy cows were chosen for cow comfort assessment. The SPSS version 22 program was used to analyze the data. According to the findings, the most common feed sources used for their dairy cattle were formulated and unformulated agro-industrial byproducts followed by non-conventional and hay. Piped (35%) and bore (30%) water were the most common water sources for dairy cattle, with the majority of farms allowing free access to water. The majority of dairy farm firms (70%) uses artificial insemination as well as bull services. The majority of dairy farm enterprises (55%) had shared sheds, followed by individual sheds (45%) built with government assistance (55%), and family (30%) with the same design and construction. The challenges confronting dairy farm enterprises were ranked feed scarcity and high feed costs first, followed by a lack of access to land, a lack of access to markets, and a lack of credit, whereas the opportunities for dairy farm enterprises were ranked first increased demand for milk and milk products first, followed by rapid urbanization, rapid population growth, and the availability of cheap labor. The vast majority of cows (92%) were severely lame, followed by moderate lameness (83%) and the vast majority of cows (52.5%) had moderately injured legs, followed by severely injured legs. The udder and leg cleanliness of most cows was mid cleanliness (52.7%), as opposed to dirty (30%) and clean (17.2%) with a low cow comfort index (0.48). The mean stall length, bed length, brisket board height, neck rail height, lung space, feeder height, and feeder width were 239±16 cm, 222.7±28.3 cm, 10.5±3.6cm, 61.5±15.3 cm, 128.15±21.5 cm, 40.6±8.7 cm, and 36.7±6.9 cm, respectively. The results also revealed that the overall floor softness scored marginal (45%) softness rather than hard (30%) and normal (25%) floor softness. The majority of dairy farm enterprises (55%) did not provide bedding material for their cows and, the bedding materials include straw, hay, and sawdust. Bedding materials are renewed once a month (37.5%), twice a week (37.5%), and once a week (25%). The frequency of manure removal was twice daily (60%), three times daily (30%), and once daily (20%). The findings revealed that the cow’s comfort status is poor, so it is recommended that the barn be renovated routine management practices be improved, and assistance from the government and other relevant stakeholders is required in order to obtain credit to renovate the cow barn and improve management practices.

Fetal Wastages Among Food-producing Animals Slaughtered at ‎Maiduguri Abattoir: Prevalence, Causes and Economic Implications

This study determined the prevalence of fetal wastage amongst slaughtered pregnant food-producing animals; the associated reasons and economic losses in Maiduguri abattoir. A seven -year (2014-2020) retrospective study on fetal wastage was conducted using abattoir records. Slaughterhouse workers/butchers were also interviewed on the factors or reasons for slaughtering of pregnant food-producing animals using a semi-structured questionnaire. Economic losses were estimated based on the price of average weight matured Cattle, Camel, Sheep and Goat and 1 kg of beef, camel meat, mutton and chevon in Maiduguri. Of the 287563 female food-producing animals slaughtered during the study period, 53 797 (18.7%) fetal wastages were recorded with species-specific prevalences of 12% (n=10137), 9.5% (n=33458), 17.4% (n=13442) and 28.3% (n=26760) for calves, camel calves, lambs, and kids respectively.There was statistically significant association (p&lt;0.05) between season, species of slaughtered food-producing animals and the occurrence of fetal wastage. About N2.889 billion ($3,675,771), N985.5 million ($1,253,884.5), N1.277 billion ($1,624,344) and N762.660 million ($971,120.4) for cattle, camel, sheep and goat respectively were lost, that could have accrued if the fetuses have survived and reached market value as adults. Additionally, 1 213 380 kg of beef, 397 485 kg of camel meat, 357 560 kg of mutton and 564 368.4 kg of chevon valued at N3, 640,140,000 ($4,610,844), N1, 192,455,000 ($1,510,443), N1, 251,460,000 ($1,609,020) and N1, 975,289,400 ($2,539,657.8) respectively were also lost. Majority of the factors leading to the slaughter of pregnant food-producing animals were disease conditions, economic hardship, ignorance of the pregnancy status of the animal and feed scarcity during dry season. Therefore, it is imperative to reduce the slaughter of pregnant food-producing animals through proper screening test, advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns for the need of pregnancy status assessment using an affordable, user-friendly rapid test kits at farms, livestock markets and abattoirs.

Cotton GinTrash Feeding Amid Feed Scarcity in Sheep and Factors Driving Inclusion in the Yarn Spinning Industrial Cluster of Tamil Nadu, India

Cotton gin trash (CGT) is composed of fibre residues, leaves, dust particles, soil, and other materials derived during the ginning and yarn-spinning process in processing industries. In the cotton-spinning industrial clusters, farmers are using CGT as one of the alternative roughage feeds for their sheep, mainly during forage shortages in the summer months. Baseline information on farmers using gin and the factors driving them to choose CGT as a roughage source needs to be identified for future planning regarding the usage of CGT in sheep feeding. Considering the above facts, the present study was undertaken to assess the socio-personal characteristics and managemental practices associated with farmers using cotton gin in the feeding of sheep; also, it was conducted to identify the factors driving the choice of the CGT as the primary source of roughage in the cotton-spinning industry cluster of Tamil Nadu, India. For this, a survey among 80 sheep farmers was carried out using a pre-tested interview schedule. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logit regression. The results indicated that the majority of male, aged, and large-land farmers were involved in practicing CGT feeding during the summer and also indicated the non-availability of green fodder during the same period of time. The coarse type of CGT is preferred over the fine type of CGT trash in that area due to quality perception and price. The replacement level of CGT as roughage ranged from 33 to 75% of the total roughage requirement per day. About 88% of farmers were highly satisfied with the results of using CGT and they also expressed that the presence of foreign particles and dust was the major problem with using CGT. The choice of CGT as primary roughage among sheep farmers was primarily influenced by selective farming contexts, namely, landholding, access to labour, and the feeding practices of other livestock with cotton gin. Furthermore, research needs to be focused on improving the quality of CGT in the future as it is being utilised largely by sheep farmers.

Utilization of Agricultural Waste as Animal Feed with the Silage Method in Gunungkidul

he scarcity of feed in the dry season, coupled with the very low quality, leads to severe nutritional deficiencies in livestock, one of the leading causes of death. Apart from grazing, there are actually many other alternative sources which, if used effectively and efficiently, will be able to support a very large number of livestock, especially cattle. Potential alternative feeds are agricultural waste in the form of rice straw and corn, which until now have not been used efficiently as animal feed. In Sembuku Hamlet, Dadapayu Village, Gunungkidul, corn planting areas have the highest yield potential in DIY, so corn stalks, corn husks, straw etc., are very likely to be used as potential animal feed. Apart from that, there is still dry matter of peanut shells for animal feed. So, from pasture and corn straw to rice straw, the livestock population is close to 200 heads. The feed cost component is the largest component in livestock maintenance, varying between 70% -100%. In traditional livestock systems, the time required to forage livestock can be as high as 70% to 90%. Progressive, creative and innovative breeders will try to reduce feed prices without reducing the nutritional value of the feed in question because simple breeders only rely on makeshift skills. With these problems, it is possible to apply the idea of overcoming the scarcity of feed, especially during the dry season, by making silage.

Smallholder cattle farmers’ perceptions, adoption potential, and utilization of trees and shrubs as livestock feeds in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

ABSTRACTThe sustainability of the livestock sector is negatively affected by insufficient quality and quantity of feeds. The effects of population growth and climate change further exacerbate the availability of feeds. Therefore, developing feasible low-cost strategies to improve year-round feed availability for enhanced livestock production is necessary. The use of trees and shrubs fodder has been recommended as a potential strategy to address feed scarcity. This study evaluated the perceptions, adoption potential, and utilization of trees and shrubs as livestock feeds in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by employing a survey of 805 randomly sampled cattle farmers. The findings revealed that farmers utilized about 62 trees and shrubs for animal fodder. The farmers employed experience-based perceptions to evaluate the suitability of trees and shrubs for fodder based on animal and tree-related criteria. A probit model analysis results indicated that the utilization of trees and shrubs as livestock feeds were influenced by several household demographic factors, livestock farms, farming system factors, and institutional characteristics. The findings provide relevant insights into informing policy formulation and implementation that promote tree and shrub fodder utilization for improved livestock production under smallholder production systems.

PhenoBR: a model to phenotype body condition dynamics in meat sheep

In situations of negative energy balance (NEB) due to feed scarcity or high physiological demands, body energy reserves (BRs), mainly stored in adipose tissues, become the main sources of energy for ruminants. The capacity to mobilise and restore such BRs in response to different challenges is of major concern in the current context of breeding for resilience. Body condition score (BCS) is a common, practical indicator of BR variations throughout successive productive cycles, and quantitative tools for characterising such dynamics at the individual level are still lacking. The main objective of this work was to characterise body condition dynamics in terms of BR mobilisation and accretion capacities of meat sheep during their productive lifespan through a modelling approach, using BCS measurements. The animal model used in this work was the reproductive meat ewe (n = 1 478) reared in extensive rangeland. Regular measurements of BCS for each productive cycle were used as the indicator of BR variations. A hybrid mathematical model and a web interface, called PhenoBR, were developed to characterise ewes’ BCS variations through four synthetic and biologically meaningful parameters for each productive cycle i: BR accretion rate (kbi), BR mobilisation rate (kpi), plus the time of onset and the duration of the BR mobilisation, tbi and ΔTi, respectively. The model PhenoBR converged for all the ewes included in the analysis. Estimation of the parameters indicated the inter-individual variability for BR accretion and mobilisation rates, and the length of the mobilisation period. The present study is a proof of concept that the combination of data-driven and concept-driven models is required for the estimation of biologically meaningful parameters that describe body reserve dynamics through consecutive productive cycles. Individual characterisation of animals by these parameters makes it possible to rank them for their efficiency in the use of body reserves when facing NEB challenges. Such parameters could contribute to better management and decision-making by farmers and advisors, e.g. by adapting feeding systems to the individual characteristics of BR dynamics, or by geneticists as criteria to develop future animal breeding programmes including BR dynamics for more robust and resilient animals.

Livestock feed markets across agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso: feed provenance, price and quality

Livestock form a major means of livelihood in Burkina Faso where almost 80% of the rural population keep sheep and goats. However, the major constraint to livestock productivity is seasonal feed scarcity. To bridge the increasing feed gap, particularly in the dry season, livestock keepers are increasingly turning to purchase of feeds from markets, which has led to emergence of feed markets in peri-urban towns and cities in the Sahel. To characterize the dynamics of these livestock feed markets, to inform and guide the development of efficient feeding systems in peri-urban livestock production, we conducted surveys in feed markets in four major towns and cities of Burkina Faso across all the agro-ecological zones. Results from this study showed that the feed types on sale included browse, bush hay, bran of maize, millet, sorghum, rice and wheat, legume residues, cereal straw and agro-industrial by-products such as cottonseed cake and concentrate feed for ruminants. The average number of feeds sold per vendor ranged from 1.5 ± 0.1 in early dry season to 3.5 ± 0.4 in late dry season. More than 80% of the feed sellers in each location reported that generation of additional income for the household was the principal reason for feed sale. The price of livestock feeds sold at different locations in Burkina Faso varied significantly with season, market location and feed type. Cottonseed cake had the highest crude protein content in all locations and across seasons ranging from an average of 16.3 to 31.9% while cereal straw (millet, maize and sorghum straw) had the lowest crude protein content of 3.5%. The results also showed a lack of a clear trend in terms of relationship between price and nutritional quality which confirms the absence of quality standardization for feeds on sale in our study sites. In developing feed industry in the region, the issue of quality standardization needs to be addressed to facilitate establishment of nutritive value-based pricing and to ensure that consumers pay a premium for quality products.

Milk value chains maps identifying challenges and vulnerabilities in the pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of Narok, Kenya

Milk forms a key dietary component in pastoral areas of Kenya whose dwellers are faced with limited dietary options. The goal of this study was to map milk value chains from pastoral and agro-pastoral areas and identify constraints and existing vulnerabilities that hampers their upgrading in Narok County, Kenya. A cross-sectional study was done between March and July 2019, and data was collected through 9 focus group discussions comprising 134 pastoralists and 4 key informant interviews using a questionnaire guide. Data was collected on chain profiles, governance, existing constraints, and vulnerabilities. The chain analysis revealed that the key actors were input suppliers; pastoral and agropastoral producers; wholesalers; cooperatives; private and public processers; retailers and consumers. Most of the milk was produced by smallholder farmers for household consumption and only sold the surplus. The average daily milk yield was 15 litres, 7 litres and 4 litres per cow intensive, semi-intensive and extensive systems respectively. Milk pricing was determined by local brokers and processors who were the dominant buyers of the milk. Value addition to the milk was limited to ghee production, souring. One bulking center produced yoghurt while other bulking centers and retailers sold the milk either raw or boiled. The major constraints reported in the production of milk were water and feed scarcity; low production; poor milk pricing and unreliable veterinary services. The results further revealed the existence of both formal and informal milk value chains. The informal chain was dominated by small-scale producers with minimal inputs and low levels of output. The producers had no influence on price setting and faced challenges in marketing milk. Interrelationships between the actors, was based on verbal agreements with no binding contracts. This study revealed existing deficiencies in input supply and vulnerabilities which may result in contamination of milk along the chain nodes.

Indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant goats for meat in Enugu, Nigeria: Causes, prevalence, implications and ways-out.

The indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant goats (SPGs) undermines meat production and food security especially in developing countries. It also connotes animal cruelty, depletion of goat population and may enhance the spread of zoonotic pathogens inhabiting the female reproductive tract during carcass processing. Consequently, this study determined the causes and prevalence of slaughtering pregnant goats for meat in Enugu, Nigeria. The study also estimated the economic losses associated with SPGs, discussed the negative public health consequences and suggested the ways-out. Structured, validated and pilot-tested questionnaire was used to ascertain the reasons for SPGs for meat among 78 willing and randomly selected respondents. The questionnaire survey was conducted in the form of interview. Pregnancy statuses of the goats slaughtered were ascertained by visual inspection and palpation of the eviscerated and longitudinally incised uteri and the horns for macroscopic evidence of pregnancy. Ages of the dams were estimated by dentition method. Estimation of the gestational age was performed by crown-rump length method. The study lasted for six months, comprised of three months (December to March) during the dry/hot season and another three months (May to August) during the wet/rainy season. Economic loss estimation was based on the current monetary values of a matured (30 kilogram) goat and one kilogram of chevon in Enugu, Nigeria; which was determined through market survey. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to determine whether there were significant (P<0.05) statistical associations between SPGs and age and season. Major reasons adduced for SPGs were: economic hardship (41%), ignorance of the goat's pregnancy status (21%), increased demand for chevon (13%) and feed scarcity during drought (11%). Of the 1,658 does examined during the six months study, 589 (35.5%) were pregnant. The majority (876/1658, 52.8%) of the female goats slaughtered were in their active reproductive age of ≤ 4 years, while 782 (47.2%) were aged > 4 years. Similarly, majority (1007/1658, 60.7%) of the does/nannies were slaughtered during the dry/hot season. A total of 907 foetuses at first (n = 332, 36.6%), second (n = 486, 53.6%) and third (n = 89, 9.8%) trimesters of gestation were recovered from the 589 PGs. Singleton, twin and triplet pregnancies were observed in 312 (53%), 236 (40%) and 41 (7%) PGs, respectively. About ₦34.44 million ($83,390) would have been earned if the foetuses were born alive and raised to maturity. Additionally, 19,136 kg of chevon, valued at ₦47,841, 000 ($115,838), which would have accrued from the wasted foetuses was also lost. Considering the economic, zoonotic and livestock production implications of this work, frantic efforts to reduce SPGs in Enugu, Nigeria is imperative. This could be achieved through advocacy, goat farmers' enlightenment, ante-mortem pregnancy diagnosis, provision of subsidized feed materials during the dry season and strict enforcement of the Nigerian Meat Edict law, which proscribes unapproved slaughter of gravid animals. These measures may improve food safety and security, improve goat reproduction and production, reduce protein malnutrition, limit dissemination of zoonotic pathogens during carcass processing and hence protect public health in Nigeria.