This study focused on investigating the carrying capacity of individual grazing lands in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. We collected data on above-ground biomass of natural pasture from 63 farms during the wet and dry seasons to capture the seasonal variation of forages. Since the grazing system is based on individual farms, we clustered farm size into three clusters, namely ≤ 10.9 ha (small); 11–20.9 ha (medium) and ≥ 21 ha (large). Dry matter and chemical composition of biomass samples was determined. Additionally, as crop residues are a significant feed resource for farmers, we also estimated their production for the year 2023 because of the availability of reliable data over the corresponding two agricultural seasons. Dry matter exhibited significant difference (p < 0.0001) across both farm sizes and seasons. Similarly, crude protein showed significant difference (p < 0.0001) across farm sizes and seasons. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) showed only significant difference across the seasons (p < 0.0001). Acid detergent fibre (ADF) showed significant difference (p < 0.05) across both farm sizes and seasons. The interaction between farm size and season was significant difference (p < 0.0001) for NDF and ADF (p = 0.0085). Furthermore, the tropical Livestock Unit (TLU), showed that the available biomass in the medium farm could feed only the TLU for a period of 58 days while the small farm could only feed for 42 days whilst the crop residues could meet the dry matter intake of 171,750 TLU annually. The findings suggest the effective crop residue utilization and highlight that proper grazing land management strategies should be applied for optimizing cattle productivity, ensuring sustainability, and climate resilience.
Tag: crude protein
Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products
The desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca, Del. L.) is one of the neglected staple crops of growing importance in the drought and famine-prone areas of Uganda. Unfortunately, information on its nutritional composition is still lacking, thus limiting their wider use and promotion. This study was designed to determine the nutritional composition of various parts of B. aegyptiaca eaten by Ugandans. Samples were collected from Katakwi, Adjumani and Moroto districts in Uganda. Dry matter content of the leaves, flowers and fruit pulp ranged from 95% in fruit pulp, to 98% in leaves and flowers. Ash content of the leaves and flowers was 8.07%; while that of the fruit pulp was 6.97%. Fat content of the leaves (2.29%) was significantly higher than that in fruit pulp (0.37%). Similarly, crude protein content was greater in the leaves and flowers (16.95%) than in the fruit pulp (5.4%). The leaves and flowers were generally richer in macronutrients than in fruit pulp in the order of K>Na>Mg with mean values of 19.54, 3.32 and 1.26 mg g-1. Iron was the most abundant micronutrient in all Balanites parts. This was followed by Mn, Zn and Cu with mean values of 452.21, 60.65, 35.69 and 25.49 g g-1, respectively. A similar trend was found in fruit pulp. There is a need to determine the level of anti-nutritional factors in Balanites products and the effect of different leaf preparation methods on nutrient availability to further guide their wide usage.
A simple method of formulating least cost diets for smallholder dairy production in sub-Saharan Africa
Smallholder dairy farmers in sub-Saharan Africa are constrained by inadequate supply of good quality protein sources particularly during the dry season. Commercial protein concentrates are expensive and not readily accessible. Multipurpose forage legumes and other non-conventional protein sources available on-farm have been promoted as alternative cheaper protein sources. The major problem faced by smallholder dairy farmers however is the formulation of diets balanced for the key nutrients and also being cost-efficient. This paper presents a step by step spreadsheet based procedure of diet formulation for smallholder dairy production. The procedure ensures that the diet is balanced for all the key nutrients, is low-cost and the user has significant control over the formulation process. An example using this formulation method incorporating the fodder legumes Leucaena diversifolia, Leucaena pallida, Leucaena esculenta, Acacia angustissima and Calliandra calothyrsus indicate a cost reduction from 10% on C. calothyrsus to 30% on L. diversifolia inclusion when compared to the conventional dairy meal concentrate (US