Animal Production

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Agronomic Performance, Nutritional Value, and Simulation of the Impacts of Climate Change on Growth and Yield of four Brachiaria (Trin.) Griseb. (Syn. Urochloa P. Beauv.) Species Under two Locations in Central and Western Ethiopia
(Addis Abeba University, 2025) Fantahun Dereje; Ashenafi Mengistu
Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa, yet productivity is limited by chronic feed shortages, largely due to shrinking pasturelands, poor-quality crop residues, and the increasing impacts of climate change. Improved forages like Brachiaria grass offer a promising solution. However, adaptation must prioritize not only biomass yield but also nutritional quality and climate resilience. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance, feeding value, and simulate the growth and yield of Brachiaria species under future climate scenarios in central and western subhumid agroecology of Ethiopia. Four Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa) species—B. mutica, B. brizantha, B. decumbens, and B. humidicola— was compared with Rhodes and Desho grasses (2020–2022). Results showed significant effects of species, year, and interactions. B. mutica revealed the highest DM yield, followed by B. brizantha and Desho grass. CP yield showed a similar pattern. The highest CP content was in B. humidicola, followed by B. mutica and B. brizantha, while Desho grass had the lowest. No significant differences were observed in NDF and lignin. Rhodes grass had the highest ADF, while B. humidicola had the highest ash content. IVDMD was highest in B. humidicola and B. brizantha, and lowest in Rhodes grass. B. mutica and B. brizantha emerged as the most promising forages for subhumid areas. In the feeding value trial, Arsi-Bale rams were fed B. mutica hay supplemented with 100, 200, 300, or 400 g/day of concentrate (noug seed cake and wheat bran). Higher supplementation significantly improved DM intake, digestibility, and growth rates. Rams fed 300 g and 400 g showed the highest gains, with no significant difference between them. Carcass traits, including carcass weight, dressing percentage, and rib-eye area improved with increased supplementation. Economic analysis showed that 200–300 g/day supplementation offered the best cost–performance balance. Thus, supplementing B. mutica hay with 300 g/day of concentrate optimizes growth and return, while 200– 300 g/day is recommended for cost-effective feeding. Further research is needed to validate these findings under small-holder farmer conditions. The CROPGRO-PFM simulation model predicts that B. brizantha showed increases in shoot (9%), herbage (11%), and stem (25%) biomass, but a 7% reduction in leaf biomass and CP content. B. humidicola followed a similar trend. In contrast, B. mutica showed projected biomass reductions of up to 34% by the end of the century and a 14–20% drop in CP content. Overall, B. brizantha and B. humidicola appear more resilient to climate change, while B. mutica is more vulnerable. Further research is recommended to refine adaptive strategies, improve crop management, and support sustainable livestock production in Ethiopia.
Analysis of Enset (Ensete Ventricosum) Based Cattle Production System; Availability and Quality of Common Feed Resources in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia
(2019-08) Dirsha Demam; Ashenafi Mengistu
The study was conducted in four districts of Gurage zone, Sothern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region to identify the major constraints of dairy cattle production, to determine the quantity and quality of available feed resources, to determine the livestock feed balance, to identify the interdependence between that exists between cattle and enset and to assess the role of cattle in enset based agriculture in relation to food security status of farming families. Households of 360 were selected using proportional sample size determination (Cochran, 1909; Thrustfield, 2013) and individually interviewed with personal observation and focus group discussion. The overall average family size of 7.71±.18 persons, herd size of 4.87±0.12 heads of cattle (3.35 TLU) and land holding of 1.75±0.05 hectare per household were obtained in this study. Around 88.05% of the farmers in the study areas were keeping cattle primarily for the production of milk and manure while 11.95% held cattle mainly for milk production and traction. Mating systems used by households predominately (83.6%) covered by the natural mating. Some (15.3%) of households reported to use AI and natural mating. About 95.55% of cattle were local breed. The overall average lactation yield of indigenous dairy cows was 1.53kg with lactation length of 7.23 months. The overall average age at first service and age at first calving for local heifers, respectively, was 53.44 and 62.44 months. The overall average days open of 211.44 and calving interval of 481.44 days was reported for local dairy cows. Farmers of 82.78% were relied on river water source for their cattle. Extensive-dairying is the dominant system where farmers majorly depend on enset leaf and leaf midribs (51.05% DM) to feed their cattle. Feeding systems of Grazing & cut and carry; Tethering, grazing and cut & carry as well as Tethering & cut and carry were practiced by farmers of 34.7%, 31.4% and 33.9%, respectively. Households of 77.5% gave feeding priority to the lactating cows and calves. The prevalent diseases of the study areas include: Anthrax, Blackleg, FMD, Bovine Pasteurollosis, LSD, Mastitis, Pneumonia, Metritis and parasites and their infestation depends majorly on seasons of the year. The DM produced from leaf and leaf midribs of enset, crop residues and natural grasses in tons, respectively, were 506.4; 312.33 and 141.62 in dega whereas it was 662.96; 472.83 and 207.33 in weinadega. The DCP produced from enset leaf and leaf midribs, crop residues and natural pasture, respectively, were 51,819.91 kg; 8,401.16 kg and 10,335.43 kg in dega while it was 55,217.94 kg; 13,799.32 kg and 11,490.23 kg in weinadega. The ME produced in dega was 4,420,872; 2,296,269.8 and 1,188,191.8 MJ whereas it was 6,013,047.2; 3,430,459.7 and 1,689,739.5 MJ in weinadega from enset parts, crop residues and natural pasture, respectively. The amount of DM, DCP and ME produced by individual household per year in weinadega agroecology were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the amount produced in dega agroecology. The annual feed supply in the study areas met only 76.81% DM and 69.9% DCP of the maintenance requirement of livestock in TLU but the available ME was 1.67% surplus. Conversely, the annual feed supply met only 64.98% DM, 66.24% DCP and 85.66% ME of the maintenance requirement of livestock in dega agroecology, whereas in weinadega, agroecology about 88.31% DM and 73.46% DCP of the maintenance requirement were met but the estimate of ME was 17.22% above the requirement. Livestock in the study areas of Gurage zone are in serious feed deficit which needs a special attention. There is a strong linkage between enset and cattle production in enset-cattle based mixed production system of Gurage zone through generations which has a strong bond in determining the livelihoods and food security of the rural farming families. Similarly, in the existing situation of fragmented land holding which doesn’t give opportunity of producing feed enough for cattle, it is paramount important to practice enset cultivation without which sustainability in cattle feeding cannot be obtained. Leaf and leaf midribs of enset represented the greatest share of 50.77% TDM, 70.86% TDCP and 54.81% of TME available for cattle feeding and it is imperative in safeguarding the life of animals especially during drought and unusual periods of the year. On the other hand, cattle manure is the only source of organic matter and nutrient input and is crucial for improvement in quantity and quality of enset products. The sampled manure had a total nitrogen of 2.68% and C: N ratio of 11:1 in dega and 2.24% with C: N ratio of 12:1 in weinadega. The organic matter obtained from manure sample in dega and weinadega, respectively, was 51.89% and 44.82%. The gm of N, P and K kg-1DM of manure, respectively, were 26.8, 16.5 and 1.6 for dega and 22.4, 12.6 and1.2 for weinadega. Feed shortage, low performance of indigenous cattle, inefficient AI service, water scarcity and animal diseases were the major challenges of dairy production. To achieve better result from dairying in particular and from livestock in general, efficient storage and utilization of crop residues, improved forage development, upgrading technical and managerial efficiencies of crossbreeding, supplementing livestock with concentrates of protein sources for both agroecologies and energy for dega agroecology, provision of animal health extension services focusing on preventive measures and developing different water harvesting structures based on agroecologies must be implemented. In food security realization programs, everyone should take his/her own accountability and responsibility through provision of strong and continuous extension services and area specific research works. The development planners including political leaders should pay attention on bringing improvement in production and productivity, understand the life securing abilities and do not undermine the economic and famine buffering potentials of these two resources. By considering multi-socio-economic use of enset crop, on the other hand, special attention should also be given to hasten the production of enset throughout Ethiopia.
Analysis of Intensification of Dairy Production Systems, Bovine Milk Quality and Consumption in the Smallholder Dairying of Ada’a District of Ethiopia
(2018-06) Habtamu Lemma; Ashenafi Mengistu
This study was carried out in Ada’a district of Oromia Regional States of Ethiopia with the objectives to identify factors determining intensification of dairy production systems to shed light on the present status of market-oriented smallholder dairy operation; to analyze gender aspects of labor distribution in dairy activities in the intensifying smallholder dairying; to explore milk production, major challenges facing dairy producers and dairy opportunities; and to investigate household consumption habits of bovine milk and to assess the quality and safety of raw milk sampled during delivery at collection center. Data were collected from household-level survey of 200 dairy farmers, milk sampling, key informant interviews and direct observation. Descriptive statistics, General Linear Model (GLM), and binary logistic regression methods were employed as analytical tools. The results revealed that 77 % of respondents/dairy producers kept crossbred dairy cows only, 53.5 % acquired good manure management and crossbreeding practices, and 44 % of the sampled rural households involved in crossbreeding and cultivating improved forage crops. The binary logistic regression model results showed that herd size, farmland size, dairy training and cooperative membership had significant effects on cultivating improved forages. Dairy production system, dairying experience and herd size were significantly associated with rearing only crossbred dairy cows. Farmland size, dairy system and awareness of manure handling were significantly associated with good manure management. Further analysis of the extent of intensification indicated that mean daily milk yield per cow and household milk market share were significantly related to crossbreeding and manure management practices in combination. Most family labor input for the dairy activities was contributed by women, which increased their workload though they involved well in decisions on dairy production and had market access for fresh milk. These differed significantly among farm- households across dairy production systems and source of major income. The major challenges faced by dairy farmers were: shortage of concentrate feed and water, lack of sustainable/guaranteed improved breeding and milk marketing, dairy stock health and manure disposal, in descending order. The total bacterial count in fluid milk was slightly higher than Ethiopian minimum standard. The coliform count was in the range of the standard. Somatic cell count was higher than US standard, but it was in the range of the EU standard. The overall mean value of the milk fat (3.82%) was slightly higher than the Ethiopian Standard (ES) value (3.50%). The mean value of protein and SNF percentages were 3.25±0.32 and 7.73 ±0.86, respectively. The overall mean value of protein was similar with the Ethiopian standard value (3.20%). The dairy potentials observed included some improved herd holdings, optimal daily milk yield, dairy experience, education and use of dairying as a major income source. The majority consumed (66.5 %) and traded (94.2 %) milk at the same time. The amount of self-consumed fresh milk per farm and day by producer families varied from 0.5 to 5 liters. Eighty four percent of the dairy producers boiled milk prior to consumption. The practice of treating milk before consumption differed significantly across production systems. 8.5 % of the dairy households did not consume fresh but rather fermented/sour milk (ergo) as most of them had symptoms of lactose intolerance. In household consumption, there was a lack of 1.40-2.85 liters of milk, which is insufficient to satisfy the nutrition requirement from dairy foods. However, there are ample experiences of dairy farming, local availability, milk production, and culture of milk consumption. In conclusion, production systems-based dairy-stock breeding, manure management practices, and related input supply and alternative formal marketing options are key attributes of the intensification and improved productivity of smallholder dairying. The capacity of smallholder dairy producers need to be built through gender-sensitive dairy extension including introducing cost-effective /labor saving-dairy technology, awareness creation in family to share women workload and enable them to participate in cooperative management positions. The dairy potentials could also help as spring board to enhance the market-oriented smallholder dairy farming provided that the above-mentioned challenges are dealt and tackled. To this end, a coordinated action involving all dairy stakeholders is needed in supporting/ building capacity of smallholder dairy producers to overcome the challenges for sustainable dairy production. There is scope to improve nutrition through consuming sufficient quantities of milk by the dairy farm families and balancing the staple foods (teff and wheat) in the area. Improving milk productivity will increase the levels of milk consumption, which in turn would have great potential as a cost-effective and sustainable household food production strategy for food/nutrition security besides market orientation.
Artificial Insemination Service Delivery System in the Ethiopian Dairy Industry: Evaluation of Semen Supply Chain and Quality
(2020-06) Kassahun Melesse; Ashenafi Mengistu
A study conducted in Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples(SNNP) and Tigray regional states of the country to contribute to increased dairy cattle productivity through providing information on the prevailing AI service delivery and input supply system; and major challenges & opportunities in the AI service delivery system. The research was mainly undertaken using a questionnaire survey, key informants’ interview and focus group discussions. Data on-field performance of AI technicians in the study regions received directly from AI technicians using a structured reporting format from October 2016 through December 2018 to evaluate the actual performance of AI technicians. A follow-up calving survey for AI services provided to farmers was conducted in March 2019 to better understand the performance of AI technicians in terms of conception and calving rates. Secondary data on livestock and livestock characteristics from agricultural sample survey reports of the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) were taken from 2004/05 to 2017/18 to analyze the trend of cattle population in the country. A total of 588 sample straws of semen were collected from production, storage, distribution, and end-users (AI technicians) in the four study regions and National Animal Genetic Improvement Institute (NAGII) and analyzed for their motility and morphology using Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer (CASA). With the current growth rate of indigenous (3.7%) and cross breed (15.8%) cattle population of the country will reach to 121.2 million and 5.4 million, respectively in 2029/30. The CSA data demonstrated that the proportion of crossbred and exotic cattle population from the total population in Ethiopia is less than 2 percent with an average percentage of 1.07% for the last thirteen years. There was an increase of only 1 billion liters without change in lactation length (6 months) but with an increase of only 0.138 liters/day/cow over the last thirteen years since 2004/05. The engagement of women in the AI delivery system increased in 2017/18 from 1.8% to 7.2%. About 42% of the total AI technicians considered in this study trained for 45 days while xxii the other 22%, 32%, and 7% trained for a period of three, six and nine months, respectively. AI technicians in the four study regions served as AI technician for an average of 8.17 years. About 88% and 75% of AI technicians in the four regions reported ready access to LN2 and semen, respectively. About 96% and 89% of AI technicians in the studied regions were providing AI service at their respective woreda/kebele and farm gate, respectively. However, about 56% and 31% of farmers in the four regional states participated in this study reported that they got insemination services only at woreda/kebele crushes and at their farm gate. Significant difference (p<0.05) observed among regions in the number of kebeles assigned per AI technician with an average of 8 kebeles, 199 potential farmers who need the service per kebele but 92 farmers (46%) who were getting the service. The thawing temperature reported by AI technicians was significantly different (p<0.05) among regions with average thawing temperature of 35.7OC. Months from August to December were categorized as peak season when AI technicians on average provided 6.7 inseminations per day. January, February, June, and July were categorized as regular season for AI service when AI technicians provided daily average insemination of 3.8. March, April, and May are off-season for AI service when on average only 2.2 inseminations per day were provided. Field level actual performance data also showed significant difference (p<0.05) in the number of inseminations provided per AI technician per month among regions and between male and female AI technicians with an overall average insemination of 39.3. The SPC reported by AI technicians was not significantly different among regions (p>0.05) with mean SPC of 2.13. About 2.6 SPC obtained from a follow-up survey conducted with farmers who received AI service in a specified period. The result of post-thaw total motility, progressive motility, normal and defective morphology of semen samples taken from studied regions showed significant difference (p<0.05). The overall average total and progressive motility percentage of semen samples taken from the four studied regions were 38% and 28%. Similarly, the normal morphology of semen samples taken from these regions was 77%. Keywords Artificial insemination, Cattle, Farmers, Regions, Semen, Technicians
Assessing and Evaluating Honey Quality at Different Market Points in Adama District and Adama Town, Oromia, Ethiopia
(Addis Abeba University, 2023) Melaku Bekele; Ashenafi Mengistu
The study was conducted to assess and evaluate the quality of honey produced in Adama District and Adama Town at different market points. Factors that affect honey quality and the botanical origins of honey produced and marketed in the areas were assessed at different market points. For this purpose, a total of 105 respondents were interviewed. Moreover, a total of 23 honey samples were collected from beekeepers and different market points and used for quality analyses. The results of the survey showed that honey quality deterioration starts at harvesting time, like the use of too much smoke, harvesting unripe honey, and improper harvesting and storing materials. In addition, the low volume of honey production compared to the demand for honey in the areas had its own contribution to adulterating honey using different adulterants, which affected the quality of the honey in the areas. According to the survey result, the major act of adulterating honey has been performed at the street honey sellers’ market point. Most of the quick test results showed that honey sold at most of the market points has quality problems that vary among the market points. The seriousness of the problem is relatively pronounced at the street market and minimarket levels. The ash content, free acidity, and pH value of all honey samples were found to be within the limits of the national standards. Except for the honey samples collected from street (24.62±0.67), minimarkets (23.23±0.58) and retailers (22.60±0.58) the moisture contents of the honey samples were within the national standards. The fructose and glucose contents of the samples were within the ranges of the national standards, whereas none of the samples met the national sucrose content standard. High sucrose content was observed in the samples obtained from retailers (32.23±1.78%) and the street (31.90±2.06%) market points. In general, the results of this study indicated that there is an overall honey quality problem in the sampled area. However, the level of the problem is more inclined towards the street and minimarket areas. Thus, honey market legislation is needed in the area in particular and in the country in general to protect honey consumers and other stockholders involved in the honey market value chain
Assessment and Options for Improvement of Biosecurity Practices in Poultry Production Sectors of Central Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2023) Mensur Sabir; Ashenafi Mengistu
A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to May 2023 to determine poultry biosecurity measures, investigate existing policies and guidelines concerning biosecurity practices, and thereby suggest possible improvement strategies of biosecurity practices in the poultry sector of central Ethiopia. As part of the assessment of biosecurity practices, a total of 82 farms (Adama = 32, Bishoftu = 30, and Modjo = 20) were selected using the purposive sampling method, and data were collected using a Biocheck UGent data. The information were also collected from 13 feed processing plants, 4 Chicken slaughter house,13 live poultry markets, stakeholders and government offices. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Thus the results showed that the mean overall biosecurity score of farms was 56.39%.whereas the average external and internal biosecurity scores were 49.41% and 72.67%, respectively. From the external biosecurity scores, visitors and farmworkers had the highest point of (93.3%), and feed and water supply (28.2%) had the lowest scores. From the internal biosecurity score, cleaning and disinfection had the highest score (78.59%), and materials and measures between compartments had the lowest score. The study site (p = 0.033) and capacity of the farm (p = 0.000) had a significant association with biosecurity status. Sources of day-old chicks (p = 0.000) significantly depends on the study site. Only 61.53% of the feed processing plants had updated biosecurity plans. However the worst case in the live poultry market using common equipment of (100.0%).Nationally, our country has no legal basis for the implementation of biosecurity measures in veterinary legislation in guidelines, rules, policies and proclamations. Significant variations in the biosecurity scores and a lack of legal basis for biosecurity adoption are highly require options of improvements by making awareness, guideline rules, policies and proclamations and enforcing their implementation.
Assessment of Feed Resources, Feeding Systems, Conservation Practices of Maize Stover in West Shewa Zone and Evaluation of Green Maize Stover Silage for Feeding Lactating Jersey Cows
(2020-06) Habte Abebaye; Ashenafi Mengistu
The survey part of the study was aimed to assess the feed resources available, feeding systems and conservation practices of maize stover in three selected districts of West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State. A total of 357 farmers were randomly selected for interview. Primary data were collected from smallholder farmers in a single visit interview by semi-structured questionnaire. The data collected through interview were also supported by observations. The silage experiment was conducted at Holetta Agricultural Research Center to determine the optimum ensiling duration and type of additive to make quality silage from GMS. The treatments were combinations of four additives (without additive, 1% EM (Effective micro-organism), 1% FJLB (Fermentative Juice of Lactic acid Bacteria) and 3% molasses) on fresh weight basis of green maize stover and three ensiling periods (4, 6 and 8 weeks). Treatments were arranged by a 4*3 factorial setup using a completely Randomized Design with five replications. The Physico- chemical characteristics of the silages were analyzed. The feeding experiment was conducted at Ada-berga dairy farm to evaluate the feed intake, digestibility, and milk yield and milk composition of Jersey cows fed GMSS based TMR graded with concentrate (%):30, 40 and 50, and conventional feeding( control diet) where cows received GMSS adlibitum and formulated concentrate of 0.5 kg/liter of milk separately. A total of eight lactating Jersey cows of more or less similar milk yield (8-10kg/day) with the same stage of lactation (mid-lactation) and parity range of one through four were used for the experiment. A Double 4*4 Latin Square Design was used for handling thexix`experiment. The concentrate was formulated from wheat bran, noug cake and salt of 69%, 30% and 1%, respectively. Supplementation of this concentrate at the rate of 0.5 kg/liter of milk was assumed to meet the protein and ME requirement of lactating cows with milk yield of 8-10 liters/day with a butter fat content of 4.4% fed grass hay. The experiment was conducted for a total of 96 days which consisted of 4 periods. Each period had 24 days (14 days of adaptation and 10 days of data collection). Results of the survey identified 5 major feed resources in the study areas, of which natural pasture and crop residues were used by almost all the surveyed farmers. The estimated feed resource available satisfies only 81% of the DM and 69.7% of the protein maintenance requirement of the livestock population. Free grazing was the major (96.3%) feeding system in the study areas. Conservation of the green maize stover after the green cob has been removed in the form of silage was uncommon due to lack of awareness. The laboratory result depicted that GMS silage made with the inclusion of 3% molasses at six weeks ensiling period had lower NDF, ADF and ADL contents, but resulted in relatively high in-vitro organic matter digestibility (54.47%), metabolizable energy (8.72MJ/kg DM), and crude protein content (5.9%). The measured physical characteristics of GMS ensiled using 3% molasses for six weeks were within the recommended range of quality silage. In the feeding experiment the total daily dry matter, OM, CP and ME (MJ/kg) intake of (T4) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than (T2) and (T1). Similarly, (T3) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than (T1) in terms of total daily dry matter, OM, CP and ME (MJ/kg) intakes. The milk yield of cows fed TMR with concentrate inclusion rate of 40(9.29lt) and 50% (9.65lt) showed significant (P < 0.05) differences as compared to 30 %( 8.09lt) concentrate inclusion and conventional feeding (7.90lt) system. The milk yield of T2 was higher by 2.4% than T1. The partial economic analysis made by using the cost of feeds and milk price per liter suggested that cows fed TMR with 40% concentrate would be more profitable. Thus, it could be concluded that the use of GMS silage based TMR with 40% concentrate seemed more economical to sustain milk production.
Assessment of Resilience of Dairy Farming in Bishoftu and Asella Areas, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
(2018-06) Abera Jabessa; Ashenafi Mengistu
This study was carried out in Bishoftu and Asella areas, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia with the objectives to identify the coping strategies that dairy farmers employ to deal with the shocks and stresses that they encounter in dairy farming, and to assess the resilience of dairy farming activities as part of socio-ecological systems. The data were collected from December 2017 to April 2018 by individual interview of 120 households (60 from Bishoftu and 60 from Asella), field observations and 8 focus group discussions. A STATA, version 12 software was used for analyses. The result showed that daily milk production were significantly higher for the entrepreneurial dairy farmer as compared to typical dairy farmers in both rainy and dry seasons (P <0.05). Livelihood strategies of the dairy farmers were dependent on both combinations of on-farm and off-farm activities to deal with the risk which associated with dairy farming. Vaccination, treatment, deworming with commercial drugs, and keeping animal & barn hygiene were the main coping strategies to deal with diseases, parasites and pests in both study areas. Utilization of crop residues, supplementary feed, fodder, and non-convectional feed were the major coping strategies to deal with feed shortage. The present study indicated that typical and entrepreneurial dairy farmers living in the same geographic locations have different levels of resilience to deal with risks that affected dairy farming. The entrepreneurial dairy farmers in both study areas were relatively more resilient than the typical dairy farmer to deal with risks that are associated dairy farming. Overall, the present study indicated that the dairy farmers in Bishoftu area were relatively more resilience as compared to dairy farmers in Asella area. It was concluded that resilience is a prerequisite for achieving sustainability of dairy farming in the turbulent environment. Therefore, in order to develop the resilience of dairy farming, they dairy farmers should be aware of the capacity of resilience such as absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity in an efficient and effective manner to deal with varies risks.
Biomass Yield Dynamics and Nutritional Quality of Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) Cultivars at Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
(2014-06) Mekuanint Gashew; Ashenafi Mengistu
The study was conducted at Debere Zeit Agricultural Research Center (DZARC) of Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)located 47.9 km from Addis Ababa. The objective was to determine biomass yield dynamics and nutritional quality of five alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) cultivars. The cultivars were planted on 12 m2 plots (4 m long and 3 m wide) in randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments were: FG10-09(F), FG9-09(F), Magna 801-FG(F), Magna 788 and Hairy Peruvian. The leaf and stem yield were determined by harvesting a central section of two adjacent middle rows with a sampling area of 0.2 m2 (0.5 m length x 0.4 m width). For forage quality analysis, four randomly selected adjacent middle rows with a net area of 3.2 m2 were harvested. The four replications were pooled into one and properly homogenized and one representative subsample was taken for each cultivar within each cutting cycle. The analysis of variance indicated that; interaction of cultivar and cutting cycle was not significant for leaf, stem and total biomass dry matter yield and chemical composition of the cultivars (P>0.05). Similarly, cultivars effect was not significant (P>0.05) for leaf, stem and total biomass DM yields. Magna 788, Hairy Peruvian and FG9-09(F) had higher leaf yield (1129 kg/ha), stem yield (1984 kg/ha) and herbage total DM yield (2861.5 kg/ha respectively other than the rest cultivars. Cutting cycles had significant effect (P<0.05) on leaf, stem and total DM yield. The 8th cycle had higher leaf, stem and total DM yields followed by 7th cycle, while the rest cycles had intermediate and comparable values. On the contrary the leaf to stem ratio was lowest. Cultivar and cutting cycles had significant effect (P<0.05) for leaf and stem proportion and leaf to stem ratio. The 6th cutting cycle had higher leaf to stem ratio comparable with second and fourth cycles. The effect of cultivar for chemical composition was not significant (P ≥ 0.05). Though Magna 801-FG(F) had higher nutritional value other than the rest cultivars. Cutting cycles had significant effect (P< 0.05) for acid detergent fiber, digestible dry matter and cellulose content but not other chemical composition parameters. In general the cultivars had higher nutritional value and had lower biomass yield during drier season while higher during wetter season.
Contribution of Smallholder Livestock Production to Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Arsi zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
(Addis Abeba University, 2024) Birhanu Mamo; Ashenafi Mengistu
The study was conducted in the mixed crop-livestock production system of the Arsi zone to investigate major feed resources, feed intake, and digestibility, estimate enteric methane emission, and predict methane and nitrous oxide emissions from livestock manure. Using multistage purposive sampling, 150 households of the three agroecological areas (lowland, midland, and highland) of the Arsi zone were sampled for one year 2021. Data were collected through discussions with key informants and groups, formal surveys, observations, laboratory analysis, and secondary data and analyzed using SPSS and SAS software. The experimental design of the feeding trail was a crossover design with three treatments and three periods. Descriptive statistics, and chisquare, one-way, and two-way ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data. The mean land allocated for cultivation was 82.08%, 88.447%, and 80.97% for lowland, midland, and highland agro-ecologies respectively, while the remaining proportion of lands was uncultivated and used for grazing. The mean total cattle (7.48±0.2) and equine (1.52±0.1) in TLU showed a significant (P<0.001) different between the highland and other agro-ecologies. The mean total goats (0.9±0.1) in TLU was a significant (P<0.01) different between the lowland and other agro-ecologies. The communal grazing land stover crop DM yield was significant (P<0.001) different between the lowland and other agro-ecologies. The fallow land DM yield was significant (P<0.01) different between midland and other agro- ecologies. The Cereal straw DM yield was significant (P<0.01) different between the highland and other agro-ecologies. Cooperatively, straw (cereals and oil), haulms (pulse), stovers (maize and sorghum), and natural pasture DM yields contributed 96.67 % to the total HH annual feed supply. Total dry matter intake (DMI) was higher (P<0.001) for sheep fed in T2 (706.9 g/day) compared to the rest of the treatments, because the presence of s.sesban leaves and NSC increase the intake. The effects of S. sesban leaves decreased the total DMI. The digestibility of DM, OM and CP were significantly (P<0.01) different between T1 and T2, NDF and ADF were significantly (P<0.05) different between T1 and the rest of treatments. The enteric methane emissions factor (4.73kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) and daily methane production (12.69g CH4 head-1 day-1 ) were significant (P<0.01) different between treatments. The enteric methane emissions factor (5.5kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 and daily methane production (14.6g CH4 head-1 day-1 ) were significant (P<0.01) different between T3 and the rest of treatments. The estimated enteric methane EF (5.2-61.1kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of different age groups of cattle were significantly (P<0.01) different between cattle subcategories. The estimated enteric CH4 EF (41.7-40.9kg CH4 head-1 year -1 ) of cattle were significant (P<0.001) different between the lowland agro-ecology and other agro-ecologies. The estimated enteric CH4 EFs (3-6.7kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of different age groups of sheep were significant (P<0.001) different between the sheep categories. The enteric EF (5.3- 5.1kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of sheep were significantly (P<0.001) different between the lowland agro-ecology and other agro-ecologies. The estimated enteric CH4 FE (2.6- 6.9kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of different age groups of goats were significant (P<0.001) different between the goats' subcategories. The enteric CH4 EF (5.7-5.5kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of goats was significantly P<0.001) different between the three agro-ecologies. Cattle contribute 45.76 % followed by horses (20.01 %), donkeys or mules (11.12 %), goats (6.22%), and sheep (5.78%). From the total population in the study area, cattle share (83.88%) the largest EF CH4 followed by donkeys (4.31%), goats (4.19%), sheep (4.11%), and horses (3.23%). From the agro-ecologies point of view per head of animal, the lowland area took the highest share (33.61%), followed by midland (33.23 %) and highland (33.16 %). The shares of agro-ecologies per total population highland area (43.54 %) share the largest emissions, followed by midland (35.23%) and lowland (21.23%). The estimated CH4 (0.74-4.5kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) emissions from manure handling practices in the study area of different age groups of cattle were significant (P<0.001) different between the cattle subcategories. The estimated CH4 (3.17-3.06kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) emissions from the manure of cattle were significant (P<0.001) different between the lowland agro-ecology and other agro-ecologies. The estimated methane emission factors(0.128-0.141kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) from the manure handling practices of different age groups of sheep were significantly (P<0.001) different between the sheep subcategories. The estimated CH4 emission factors (0.137- 0.129kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) from the manure of different categories of sheep were significant (P<0.001) different between the lowland agro-ecology and the other agroecologies. The estimated methane emission factors (0.09-0.177kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of different age groups of goats were significant (P<0.001) different between the goats' subcategories. The CH4 emission factors (0.154-0.145kg CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) from the manure handling practices of goats were significantly (P<0.001) different between the three agro-ecologies. The estimated nitrous oxide (1-10.2g CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of different age groups of cattle was significantly (P<0.001) different between the cattle subcategories. The estimated nitrous oxide (7.85-7.7g CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of dual-purpose cattle was significantly (P<0.001) different between the lowland agro-ecology and other agro-ecologies. The estimated nitrous oxide (1.14-1.32g CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of different age groups of sheep were significant (P<0.001) different between the sheep subcategories. The estimated nitrous oxide (1.23-1.19g CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) was significant (P<0.001) different between the lowland agro-ecology and other agro-ecologies. The estimated nitrous oxide (1.-1.6g CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) of different age groups of goats were significant (P<0.001) different between goat subcategories. The estimated nitrous oxide(1.4-1.35g CH4 head-1 yeay -1 ) was significant (P<0.001) different between the lowland agro-ecology and other agro-ecologies. Therefore, produce quality feed supply and proper handling husbandry, improved manure management system and promotion of farm level livestock technologies should be exercised astutely to increase productivity and reduce the GHG emission of the livestock sector.
Dairy Cattle Feed Resources and Milk Handling Practices in Ada’a District, East Shoa Zone, Oromia Reginal State, Ethiopia
(2014-06) Tena Asres ; Ashenafi Mengistu
This study was conducted in Ada’a district of Oromia region to assess the existing dairy cattle feed resources, to evaluate the feed quality of selected dairy cattle feed resources, to assess milk handling practices in the study areas and suggest possible solution for existing problems. Data were collected from 60 dairy producers having different types of feeds and living in seven different villages using single-visit-multiple-subject formal survey. Brewery by product, cotton seed cake, linseed cake, noug cake, lin seed cake + noug seed cake, elephant grass, hay, tef straw, wheat straw, poultry litter, maize grain, wheat bran, wheat middling and concentrate were as feed resources. Open air for roughage feeds and well aerated storing for compound feeds was the most practiced methods of feed storing. For feed quality test, a total of 184 feed samples were collected from seven villages in fourteen types of feeds. These samples were analyzed for six feed quality parameters i.e. dry matter (%), ash (%), crude protein (%), NDF (%), ADF (%) and lignin (%). All the samples had the average DM contents (91.28 - 94.67), ash (1.42 -11.89), CP (3.3-41.28), NDF (13.76 -77.5), ADF (2.8 – 51.97) and lignin (1.35 – 11.61). Based on this result the moisture content of feeds was reduced by means of different reasons. Almost all of the respondents were having the awareness of cleaning milking equipments before milking. But During milking all respondents were done inappropriate activities like touching nose and scratching of different parts of the body. About 33.3% of respondents were use common towel to clean udder before and after milking. Giving training to dairy producers concerning with feed management and milk handling practices (before, during and after milking) including the storing containers.
Determinants of Livestock and Feed Water Productivity in the Mixed Crop–Livestock Production System of Debre Berhan Milkshed, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
(2018-05) Mekete Bekele; Ashenafi Mengistu
The study was conducted in the mixed crop-livestock system of Debre Berhan milkshed in central highlands of Ethiopia to assess and determine agricultural water productivity related to livestock production and explore their determinants. The need to meet the growing demand for livestock products and services coupled with multiple uses of water is expected to intensify pressure on finite freshwater. Knowing the level of freshwater consumption for livestock production is relevant to devise strategies for efficient water use and allocation in the system. A multistage sampling procedure was followed to select 159 farmers from different wealth status (50 in the poor, 58 in the medium and 51 in the better-off) grouped mainly based on land and livestock ownership. Livestock products and services, and feed dry matter obtained at farm level over the year were used as numerators to estimate livestock water productivity (LWP) and feed water productivity (FWP), respectively. The volume of water evapotranspired for feed production was used as a common denominator for both LWP and FWP. Cultivated and grazing lands (GL) were major sources of feed where water use of livestock was fundamentally linked. The annual food-feed crops grown that constituted staple human food and major livestock feed were barley, wheat, faba bean and field pea. The livestock density on grazing land was almost twice that of cultivated cropland which showed the importance of crop byproducts for livestock feeding. The contribution of crop residues to total feed supply sourced on-farm and purchased combined was 55%. However, the annual feed dry matter (DM), metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible crude protein (DCP) supplies and requirements of livestock did not match at present. The livestock feed insufficiency unanimously affects farmers irrespective of wealth status, though wealthier suffered more. Overall, about 51, 19 and 38% of annual feed deficit in DM, ME and DCP were observed, respectively. On average 0.60 kg m-3 (ranging from 0.59 to 0.61 kg m-3) of FWP was obtained. However, FWP of crop residues (CR) and GL were contrastingly different across wealth groups, where better-off gained more on CR and vice versa on GL. Moreover, much of the water depleted was on GL, irrespective of wealth status. The inflow and outflow dynamics of cattle and equines over the year was not frequent and in large numbers either, rather the conceivable outputs obtained from cattle were milk, traction services and manure, and that of equines was transportation. In case of sheep the dynamics were recurrent; correspondingly the most plausible beneficial output was due to offtake. Generally low offtake rates and high death rates contributed to reduced annual benefit from livestock and impacted the LWP. Livestock water productivity was significantly different across wealth groups. On average 0.23 USD m-3 (ranging from 0.16 to 0.23 USD m-3 following wealth gradient) of LWP was attained. Access to credit and training positively influenced both FWP and LWP, while other factors explain FWP and LWP differently. Evaluation of native grasses and legumes, and improved forages for biomass productivity, nutritive value and water use; improving feeding value of CR with treatment and supplementation; maintenance of healthy productive animals; strengthen enabling institutions that support farmers such as cooperatives, credit, extension and training services and application of soil and water conservation; and proper grazing management are expected to improve water use for livestock production.
The Effect of Variety and Seed Proportions on Yield, Nutritional Quality and Compatibility of Oats and Vetch Mixtures
(Addis Ababauniversity, 2016-06) Fantahun Dereje; Ashenafi Mengistu
The present study was conducted to assess the varietal and seed proportion effects on yield, quality and compatibility of oats and vetch mixtures under varying seed proportion (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%) using two varieties for each of the component species. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Seedling count, biomass yield, plant height, vigor and plot cover were collected. Forage quality traits considered for the experiments were DM content, ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses. Relative yield, Relative yield total, Relative crowding coefficient and Aggressivity index were indices calculated for biological compatibility and yield advantages of oats and vetch. Significant (P<0.05) differences were observed for all measured agronomic traits except for plot cover. The highest DMY (17.61) was obtained from the mixture of 75% SRCP × 80 Ab 2291 + 25% Vicia dasycarpa lana. Mean values of Ash, CP, NDF, ADF and cellulose had significant (P<0.05) difference whereas mean values of DM content, ADL and hemicelluloses had non-significant (P>0.05) difference. The highest DMY, CPY and NDFY was showed by the mixture of 75% SRCP × 80 Ab 2291 + 25% Vicia dasycarpa Lana. Relative yield (RY) of oats and vetch varieties were less than one indicating that the yield obtained in the pure stands were higher than those from the mixed stands of the component species for both varieties. The relative yield total (RYT) of most mixed stands were greater than one indicating xv mixed stands to have superior yield advantage compared to the pure stand plots. The highest RYT value of 1.48, from the mixture of 50% SRCP × 80 Ab 2291 + 50% Vicia sativa ICARDA 61509, suggested a biological yield advantage of 48% in mixed cropping compared to the pure stand plots. The vetch varieties are the dominant except at the seed proportion of 75% +25% oats-vetch mixtures respectively. Generally, the result indicated that vetch species had higher CP and lower NDF than their respective mixtures and pure oats. The DMY, CPY and NDFY of mixtures of 75% oats + 25% vetch and 50% oats + 50% vetch seed proportions were better than pure stands. The RYT values of these mixtures were also greater than one. Therefore, it is concluded mixtures at seed proportions of 75% oats + 25% vetch and 50% oats + 50% vetch had relatively higher yield, quality and better compatible. Key words: Biological compatibility, Herbage DM yield, Nutritional quality, Oat and Vetch varieties and Seed proportions
Effects of Cutting Interval on Morphological Parameters, Biomass Yield and Chemical Composition of Para (Brachairia muticastapf), Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) and Desho (Pennisetum pedicellatum) Grasses Grown under Irrigation Condition
(Addis Ababa University, 2021) Tobiyaw Tsegaye; Ashenafi Mengistu
Livestock feed resources in Ethiopia are mainly obtained from natural pasture and crop residues. This study was aimed to study the effects of cutting interval on plant height, number of tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant and leaf to stem ratio of the grasses, and to study the effects of cutting interval on dry matter yield and chemical composition of the grasses under irrigation condition at Mecha, Ethiopia; with three kinds of grasses namely Para (Brachiaria mutica Stapf.), Napier (Pennisetum purpureum), and Desho (Pennisetum pedicellatum) at three harvesting dates (60, 90,120). The experimental design was RCBD (Random Complete Block Design) with three replications giving a total of nine plots. The area of each unit plot was three m x four m and plant to plant distance and row to row distance was 0.5m. Data on morphological parameters of the grasses were recorded at each harvesting dates. The grasses were first harvested after 60 days of regrowth; second and third harvests were done after consecutive 30 days of re-growth. All harvested data were laid open to GLM ANOVA procedures of SAS version 9.0. Based on the data collected, harvesting age was significantly affected the morphological parameters of the grasses; Plant height (PH), the number of tillers per plant (NTPP), and the number of leaves per plant (NLPP) were increased with increasing harvesting age, whereas cutting interval showed a non-significant effect on a leaf to stem ratio (LSR) of the grasses. Although cutting interval had a significant effect on dry matter yield (DMY), ash content, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin content of the grasses. It was concluded that Napier grass produces a higher forage yield among the three grasses and longer harvesting intervals result in increased forage yield and decrease nutrient composition in all the studied grasses. Further research is needed to be conducted over much longer periods to determine to what extent these findings relate to performance over the life of a permanent pasture.
Effects of Feeding Dried Acacia Saligna, Sesbania Sesban or Vigna Unguiculata Leaves as a Replacement for Cotton Seed Cake on Production Performances and Semen Quality of Begait Sheep in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia
(2018-05) Michaele Yirdaw; Ashenafi Mengistu
The study was conducted in Tahtay Adyabo Wereda of Tigray National Regional State with the objectives of assessing sheep production system and determines feed intake, digestibility, body weight change, carcass characteristics and semen quality of Begait rams. To collect the quantitative and qualitative data, questionnaire, group discussions and field observation were employed. A total of 108 households owning Begait sheep were individually interviewed. The experiment was carried out at Humera Begait Cattle and Small Ruminants breeding and Multiplication Ranch of Tigray Regional Government. This study was designed to assess the effects of replacing cotton seed cake by Dried Acacia saligna, Sesbania sesban or Vigna unguiculata on production performance and semen quality of Begait rams fed grass hay as basal diet and wheat bran as energy source. Twenty four yearlings Begait male sheep with an average initial body weight of 25 ± 1.39 kg (mean ± SD) were used in randomized complete block design (RCBD) that lasted for 90 days. Treatments consisted of ad libitum feeding of grass hay plus 200g DM wheat bran and additionally supplementing with 100g, 250g, 140g and 180g DM per head per day of cotton seed cake, Acacia saligna, Sesbania sesban and Vigna unguiculata forages for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively, each calculated to give 67.6g CP on isonitrogenous basis. Rams were categorized into six blocks of four Rams in each block based on their initial body weight and the four feed treatments were randomly assigned to each animal in a block, giving six animals per treatment. The survey result indicated that, mixed crop-livestock production system was the dominant farming system. Farmers reared sheep primarily for two main purposes, for cash income and home consumption. On average, one household had 13.6 ±2.15 heads of Begait sheep. The major feed resources were natural pasture and natural pasture (standing hay) in wet and dry season respectively. Feed shortage, water scarcity and health problem were the major factors hampering sheep production in the area. Results related to the feeding trial showed that, the hay DM intake was lower (P < 0.05) for T2 as compared to the other three treatments. Total DM and OM intakes appeared to be highly impacted by the supplemental DM intake. Digestibility of CP was in the order of T1 > T3 >T4 > T2, the value in T2 was significantly different (P < 0.05) with T1 and T3 (74.6, 60.4, 72.2 and 67.9 for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). T1 and T3 resulted in higher (P<0.05) final body weights than T4; However, the results of BWC, ADG and FCE in T1, T2 and T3 were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other. There were also similarities among T2 and T4 in BWC, ADG and FCE. Hot carcass weight ranged from 14 kg to 16 kg. Slaughter weight, empty body weight and dressing percentage on slaughter body weight were higher in T1 (cotton seed cake), T3 (S .sasban) and T2 (A .saligna) as compared to rams supplemented with T4 (Vigna unguiculata) while T4 was not significantly different with T2 and T3. Body condition, semen volume, mass motility, live and dead count and percent did not show significant difference (p>0.05). Scrotum Circumference was 27.4, 26.6, 27.9 and 26.0cm for rams in T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Testicle size and scrotum circumference were statistically different (P < 0.05) between T3 and T4. The supplements were comparable in their potential to supply nutrients to improve the productivity of sheep. Therefore dried A. saligna and S. sesban foliages can be used to replace protein sources commercial concentrate feeds.
Evaluation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus Ostreatus), Garlic (Allium Sativum L.), Ginger (Zingiber Officinale R.) Powders and Their Mixtures in Diets of Broiler Chickens as Natural Growth Promoters
(2018-07) Zena Kidane; Ashenafi Mengistu
The study targeted evaluation of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), garlic (Allium sativium L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale R.) powders and their mixtures in broiler diets as natural growth promoters. Two separate experiments were conducted where the second trial was designed based on the results of the first trial. The first trial was conducted using 315 unsexed day-old broiler chicks of Cobb 500 strain which were divided randomly into seven groups (T1 till T7). Each represented a treatment (45 birds/treatment) with three replicates in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were T1- Control, from T2 till T7 the diets contained 1% oyster mushroom powder (OMP), 2% OMP, 1% garlic powder (GAP), 2% GAP, 1% ginger powder (GIP) and 2% GIP, respectively. The second trial was conducted using 275 unsexed one day-old broiler chicks of Cobb 500 strain which were divided randomly into six groups. Each group represented a treatment (45 birds/treatment) with three replicates in a CRD. The first group (T1) fed on basal diets without antibiotic (negative control diet) and the second group (T2) fed on basal diets with antibiotic (0.30 g oxytetracycline/kg, positive control diet). The other groups from T3 till T6 were fed on basal diet containing different mixtures (0.5% OMP + 1% GAP), (0.5% OMP + 1% GIP), (1% GAP + 1% GIP) and (0.33% OMP + 0.66% GAP + 0.66% GIP), respectively. Daily feed intake (FI) and weekly body weight gain (BWG) were recorded and carcass evaluation was made. Blood hematological, serum biochemical data and fecal microbial counts were recorded. The results of the first trial showed that inclusion of 2% GIP improves FI (P<0.05), whereas, BWG (P<0.05) and FCR (P>0.05) were impaired due to inclusion of 2% OMP. Most of the carcass parameters considered were not significantly affected (P>0.05) showing that the herbs didn’t impair the development of the organs. Positive effects were observed for the values of RBCs (all except T3), TWBC (T4) and PCV (T5), whereas, the biochemical parameters measured were not affected. Profitability was the lowest for all herbal treatments. The results of the second trial showed that T4 and T5 significantly reduced FI (P<0.05). Phytogenic mixtures had no significant effect on BWG and FCR. Percent proportions of dressed carcass, eviscerated carcass and breast cuts were significantly (P<0.05) impaired for T6. Reduced abdominal fat % (P<0.05) was recorded for T2 and T3. Some of the blood parameters considered, (RBC, TWBC, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC) were not altered (P>0.05). T3, T5 and T6 exhibited hypocholesterolemic effect (P<0.05). The herbal mixture of GAP and GIP was superior over the antibiotics in lowering the number of total colony forming units (CFU) and Escherichia coli bacteria in the digesta of ileo-cecum (P<0.05) and also the FCR. From the economic point of view, the herbal mixtures were not as profitable as the controls. Generally sole treatments (treatment either with garlic or ginger) were not as beneficial as the mixture of the two herbs. From the current findings, it was concluded that oyster mushroom, garlic and ginger powders each at 1% inclusion level as well as all the four combinations of medicinal plants could be considered as potential growth promoters and the mixtures may also replace the antibiotics in broiler diets.
Feed Inventory and Improvement of Low-Quality Forage by Ensiling with Wet Distillers Grain in Tiyo District, Ethiopia
(2019-06) Kidist Mersha; Ashenafi Mengistu
A study was conducted in Tiyo district of the Arsi Zone of Oromia Regional State, with the objectives of identify the sources of feeds, supply, estimate annual feed produced, maintenance requirement, and improvement of low quality forage by ensiling with wet distiler grain. A total of 120 households (HHs) were farming system randomly selected from three Kebeles (40 HHs from each kebeles) and interviewed. Types of available feed resources in the study areas include crop residues, natural pastures, hay, and agro industrial by product. According to the estimation of this study, there was an annual total annual requirement was 1973 ton DM but available feed is 1010.3ton thus, the annual feed supply on year basis is estimate to satisfy 51.1% of the maintenance requirement of livestock in the study area this implies that there is livestock feed deficit or shortage in the study area which suggest that the primary focus needs to be improving the existing feed resources through utilization, applying improvement practices such as treatment of crop residues, by ensiling with wet distiler grain in case of improve its composition and nutritive value. Trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of ensiling wheat straw with WDGS and fababean straw with WDGS and alone on its preservation and nutritive value. In the study, WDGS was blended with fababean straw and wheat straw at 0% (control), 10%, 20%, and 40%, and ensiled for 42 days in bottle silos in a factorial design. Fermentation was monitored by taking samples at day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 42. Results showed the lowest pH value (4.65) was obtained from ensiled solvent extract with 20% WDGS opened on 42nd day. There was an increase in crude protein content of silage ensiled from faba bean straw (11.094 to 25.228) treated with WDGS. From those faba bean straw treated, the lowest ash content (8.13 and 8.356) was recorded with that of WDGS free silage opened on the first and 21st days respectively. The highest organic matter content (91.575%) of the silage prepared from wheat was found with 20% concentration of WDGS ensiled for 21 days. Faba bean silage with 40% of WDGS ensiled for 21days produced the lowest crude fiber (29.53%). There were no significant main effect and interaction effects of different concentration levels of WDGS at different sampling period on dry matter content of the ensiled wheat and faba bean residues.
Influence of Transportation and Use of Effective Microorganisms Treated Feeds on Growth, Carcass Yield and Meat Quality of Arsi-Bale and Afar Sheep
(2019-08) Tibebu Manaye; Ashenafi Mengistu
The present study was conducted with the objectives of assessing the level of deployment of sheep for carcass export and effect of transportation of sheep and goats on body weight, mortality and carcass condemnation; studying the effect of trekking or trucking on body weight, carcass and meat quality of Arsi-Bale and Afar lambs; assessing the effect of Effective Microorganisms (EM) application rate and duration of ensiling on tef straw silage quality; evaluating the effect of genotype and concentrate supplementation of tef straw silage on growth performance, carcass and meat quality of Afar and Arsi-Bale lambs. A retrospective abattoir survey was conducted in export abattoirs in Bishoftu and Modjo towns. The experimental design of the experiments was factorial arrangement incompletely randomized design. In the transportation experiment two lamb groups were transported 25 km from Bishofti to Modjoby either trekking or trucking and the third was kept at abattoir for five days before the other two. The silage was made from tef straw inoculated with EM and packed in plastic bags. It was then, subjected to physical and chemical analysis. During feeding and digestibility trials each lamb was fed tef straw silage alone, or supplemented with bokashi alone or mixed with noug seed cake. The survey result indicated that, 3,904,338 sheep and goats were slaughtered for export in 2012/13-2014/15. Mortality and weight loss caused by transportation, respectively were 0.01% and 6.49% for sheep and 0.10% and 6.58% for goats. There were 0.09% full and 0.12%, partial carcass condemnations.The physical appraisal of tef straw silage showed that it was of good quality. The water socked tef straw ensiled for 21 days inoculated with EM at a rate of 500ml/kg was found to have better nutritional quality. Content and digestibility of crude protein and digestibility of organic matter appeared better for 21 days ensiling period. The transportation experiment revealed that Arsi-Bale lambs were better than Afar for most carcass traits. All ultimate pH, color and sensory eating quality of meat samples from both transportation and feeding trials were in the range of good quality meat. The intake of most nutrients of Afar was higher than the Arsi-Balewhile it was lower for control lambs except the fibers. The Arsi-Bale lambs performed better than Afar lambs in live weight, feed efficiency and all the carcass traits. Most of the carcass linear measurements were influenced only by diet for which the supplemented lambs were better. The L* value and fat content were higher for meat from Afar lambs while other physicochemical characteristics were similar for bothbreeds. Mode of Transportation did not affect most of carcass traits, but meat pH.However, there was significant breed effect with Arsi-Bale lambs showing higher growth performance and better predictability with better lean meat yield having acceptable quality that makes it more suitable to be used for export meat production.
Interconnections Between Livestock Husbandry Practices, Feed Resources, Climate Variability and Methane Emission in Mixed Farming Areas of Bale Highlands, Ethiopia
(2018-06) Girma Defar; Ashenafi Mengistu
The study was conducted in the potential mixed farming areas of Bale highland to investigate interconnections between livestock husbandry practices, available feed resources, climate variability and methane emission. Using multi-stage purposive sampling, 156 households of the three wealth groups [better (≥4.25 hectare land, >15 TLU); medium (2.25-4.25 hectare land, >5 and ≤15 TLU), and low (≤2.25 hectare land, ≤5 TLU)] were selected. Structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informants interview, field visits and feed samples chemical analysis were the employed methods during the study. Secondary data were used from different offices and organization reports, and literature. The nutrient balance was estimated based on the demand and supply while the livestock methane emissions were estimated according to the IPCC guidelines. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and one-way ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data. Indices were computed to obtain the aggregate rank of considered variables. The mean land holding was significantly (P<0.001) different between wealth groups. The mean land allocated for cultivation was 81.47, 84.51 and 89.04% for better, medium and low wealth groups, respectively while the remaining proportion of lands were uncultivable and used for grazing. Cattle were the dominant (84.25%) livestock owned by the households. The productive performances of the livestock were poor and feed scarcity was the prominent constraint (ranked 1st). The major feeds overall mean DM contributions were 71.26%, 13.01% and 12.35% from straws, crop aftermath and mixed native pasture, respectively while significantly (P<0.001) higher private grassland DM yield belongs to the better wealth group. The previous (1986) grazing lands converted to cultivation were estimated to be 99.22% from the land use land cover changes in 2014. This situation appeared to be the major problem of feed resource of the existing livestock production in the area. Roughage feeds have lower ME, DCP and relative feed value (RVF). The mean IVDOMD of the dominant feeds ranges 49.92-54.68% (cereal straw), 40.36% (crop aftermath) and 58.59-62.61% (mixed native pasture) across the wealth group households. Average deficit of 24.2% ME observed for the better wealth group while DCP satisfied 33.3% of the requirement which advises to search a solution for the thrilling deficit that associated to grazing constraint. Weather information access showed differences between the wealth groups. Farmers perceived rainfall pattern variability, and increased temperature and drought frequency over the past years were the variations impede livestock productivity. The respondents witnessed that livestock and grazing land productivity decreased due to land use/land cover changes and accompanied climate variability. Farmers said that they were at a critical state of livestock production that accounted to diminished grazing land, nutrient deficit and climate variability not to sustain the existing livestock. The estimated enteric CH4 emission rate from mature cattle, growing cattle, sheep >1 year, sheep ≤ 1 year, horse and donkey were significantly (P<0.001) higher for the better wealth group while mature cattle (69.78%) shared the highest rate. Though, higher emission rates credited to the large number of animals in the area, cattle stay crucial to the livelihoods of the households, beside the major sources of CH4. In conclusion, poor husbandry practices (veterinary infrastructures, housing, feed quantity and quality, and productive performances), climate variability and the subsequent CH4 emissions should be focus areas of interventions. Therefore, proper husbandry and quality feed supply, improved weather forecast services and promotion of farm level livestock technologies should be practiced wisely to increase productivity and protect the environment from degradation and emissions of the livestock sector.
Pre and Post Market Quality Assessment of Commercial Layers’ Ration in Bishoftu and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Addis Abeba University, 2023) Addis Asegid; Ashenafi Mengistu
This study was undertaken to determine the proximate composition and variations of nutrient in commercial layer’s feeds produced and sold in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu. A total of 438 feed samples classified into two sampling categories were collected in 2022. The first category referred as premarket feed and comprises 240 samples collected from 12 licensed commercial feed producers, while the second referred as post market feed consist of 198 samples collected from 198 commercial layer farms who totally depend on feed produced by these commercial feed producers. The samples were subjected to proximate analysis using non distractive method. This research suggests that the nutrient composition of layers feed is highly variable among manufacturers, but also among the similar batches of the same manufacturers. Among analyte in focus, available phosphorus, calcium and sodium contents portray poor mix uniformity between similar production batches, though their concentration was predominantly close to the maximumto-middle compared to Ethiopian standard (ESI) requirements. The noncompliance frequencies in crude protein and metabolizable energy, calcium, and available phosphorus content range from39.3 to 43.8%,33.8% to 48.3 %, 18.1 to 43.5%and 6.3to11.3 %, with average total deficiency of 1.3 and1.7%,62.5 and 112.4kcal/kg, 1.15% and 2.09% respectively. The moisture and crude fiber contents in 5 to 10 % and 2 to7 % of the total feed samples surpass the maximum limit respectively, while all crude fat values were higher than the maximum recommended requirement. This may lead to under or over-feeding of essential nutrients which eventually turn into reduced bird performance, added input costs, and increased environmental pollution. Statically significant (P<0.05) association between out of compliance frequencies and feed sample categories or study locations were apparent, which in part attributed to differences in ingredient source, quality, and feed compounding practices across the study locations. To ensure quality and standardization of feeds, frequent monitoring, and enforcement of standards in the preparation of feed is cardinal, this will ensure that nutritional feeds are formulated to meet production needs of poultry birds.

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