The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of indigenous browse tree pods on nutrient intake, digestibility, weight gain, and carcass parameters of local Abergelle rams fed grass hay as a basal diet. This experiment was conducted at the Abergelle Agricultural Research Center farm in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. Experimental rams were grouped according to their initial body weight (17.4 ± 0.95 kg) in a randomized complete block design into three treatments and six replications. Treatments consisted of feeding grass hay free of choice supplemented with pods of either Acacia tortilis (T), Faidherbia albida (T), or Dichrostachys cinerea (T) fed at the rate of 10 g kg body weight daily. The crude protein (CP) contents of the supplemental feeds in T, T, and T were 167, 156, and 135 g kg dry matter (DM), respectively. The CP intake was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T and T than that in T. No statistical difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the digestibilities of DM and CP. Final body weight, average daily gain, slaughter weight (SW), hot carcass weight, and ribeye area were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the treatments. However, dressing percentage based on SW in T and T was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in T. Therefore, from this research, it can be concluded that though the weight gains and carcass weights of experimental rams were not as such remarkable among the treatments, efficient utilization of locally available and cheap browse tree pods as alternative protein supplements to Abergelle sheep during the dry season could be important to small holder farmers.

This study was conducted to evaluate effect of intercropping dates of lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) with maize (Zea mays L.) on forage and maize grain yields. It was carried out at Gereb Giba in Tanqua Abergelle district, Tigray, Ethiopia. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments and four replications were used. The treatments were sole maize sown (T1) and lablab sown at 10, 20 and 30 days after emergence of maize for T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Intercropping did not affect height and days for 50% flowering of lablab. Similarly, it was not affected height and days for physiological maturity of maize. Lablab forage yield was significantly greater (p<0.01) in T2 and T3 than T4. Maize Stover dry matter (DM) yield was similar among treatments while total forage DM yield was significantly higher (p<0.0001) in T2, T3 and T4 than T1. Moreover, among the intercrops, total forage yield was significantly highest (p<0.0001) for T2 compared to T4 but similar in T2 and T3. Maize grain yield was significantly superior (P<0.0001) in T2 and T3 compared to T1 and T4. Though, T2 and T3 had similarity in all parameters measured, T2 provided higher forage and maize grain yields than T1 and T4. Therefore, lablab intercropping at 10 days after emergence of maize is appropriate in Tanqua Abergelle district and other areas with similar agro ecologies.