FEED RESOURCES AND FEEDING PRACTICES OF DAIRY CATTLE IN DALE AND WONDOGENT DISTRICTS OF SIDAMA REGION.

Abstract

A study was conducted in Dale and Wondo Genet districts of Sidama region to assess feed resources and feeding practices of dairy Cattle. Household survey using structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, field observations and laboratory analyses were applied to generate the data. Feed samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents and for determination of in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Purposive sampling was used to select the respondents. A total of 140 respondents (Dale = 80 and Wondo Genet = 60) were purposely selected based on dairy cattle production potential and interviewed individually. The results indicated shortage of feed and land were the major dairy cattle production constraints in both districts of the area. The major feed resources available in the dry season include crop residues 37.1%, hay 25.1% and natural pasture 19.3%, whereas in wet season, 33.6% of the respondents feed their dairy cattle natural pasture, forage and pastures, non-conventional feed resources. Rotational grazing system was practiced highly on communal and private grazing land. The major crop residue used for dairy cattle feeding in both districts were maize stover, haricot bean straw, sugarcane tops, enset pseudo-stem and leaf and bean straws. Majority (85.7%) of respondents were utilizing crop residue for dairy cattle feeding in the study area. The major challenge of using crop residues was the collection and transportation of crop residues from crop land and storage. Private and communal grazing land and also cultivated land boundaries were the major sources of hay production. Desho grass, Elephant grass, Guatemala grass, Phalaris species, Rhodes grass, cow pea and pigeon pea were improved forage cultivated by the farmers in both districts and they can get seeds from government agricultural sectors and NGO. Land and seeds shortage were challenging improved forage production the study area. Residues of coffee, enset by products and banana pseudo-stem and leaf were used mostly as non-conventional feed in Dale district whereas banana pseudo-stem and leaf, enset by products and coffee residues were majorly practiced in Wondo Genet districts as non-conventional feed. Crop residues, purchased concentrate feeds and forage/green leaf and reduction of cattle were used to alleviate feed shortage in both study districts. Most of respondents were providing chopped crop residue for their animals. The highest crude protein contents were found in enset leaf (12.2%) than others feed types. The NDF content of most feed resources across districts was less than 65% and can be categorized as medium quality feeds. Development of improved forages integrated with the dominant farming system, efficient conservation and utilization of crop residue via different treatment options and maximizing the productivity of available individual and communal grazing pasture land using established improved technologies needs attention.