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largely on natural rangelands for their feed requirements, a situation unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Goats are increasingly popular in most communities as ''cash cows'', rather than a ''poor man's cow'' as in the past. Tropical rangelands are endowed with flora that are rich in protein. Most rangelands in Zimbabwe are dominated by Acacia species and other pod or fruit bearing trees, including Dichrostachys cinerea, genera of Piliostigma and Guibortia. Also the rangelands products can be supplemented by grown forages such as morus alba and sweet sorghum cultivars (Sorghum bicolour). In the past decade attempts have been undertaken to evaluate the value of local indigenous plants as feed supplements for goats during the dry season. The dry season period in Zimbabwe extends from six to nine months, and this is the time when livestock experience serious shortages of feed, which in turn causes pressure on the rangelands, resulting in degradation. The utilisation of protein rich trees and shrubs as feed supplements can counter the seasonal shortage of good quality forage for livestock. Research activities Studies were conducted to investigate the potential of commonly occurring tree species: A. nilotica, A. tortilis, A. erioloba, A. erubescens, D. cinerea, P .thonningii and G. coleosperma. Feeding trials were undertaken to assess the performance of different groups of goats to tree fruits or pods supplements. The pods were collected when ripe and then crushed before feeding. Positive responses observed in animal performance, included enhanced growth rates in kids. Chemical analysis of the pods showed that crude protein ranged from 11 to 20 per cent. Intake ranged from 511 to 843 g/DM/day. Low intakes were ascribed to anti-nutritional factors (tannins) and attempts to deactivate the influence of tannins were undertaken. Mixing of wood ash with crushed pods was found to be effective. On going studies include the evaluation of morus alba leaves and sweet sorghum cultivars as feed for small ruminants. Preliminary analysis show that morus alba leaves and stover from sweet sorghum cultivars have a crude protein content of about 22 and 5 per cent respectively. Conclusion Tree fruits, or pods, are high in protein and can be collected and stored to be fed when required to goats of all ages. Pods crushed (by grinding or pestle and mortar) can be mixed with hay or crop residues for feeding to all domestic ruminants, including goats. Throughout the developing world a wide range of trees still need to be fully evaluated in order to reduce the cost of feed. For example, fallen leaf litter from browse trees containing about 11% crude protein) can be used as a feed supplement to livestock. Increasing the base for feed options (forages) with high quality feed will support the ever increasing demand for livestock products. Feed is the most important factor influencing livestock production in the developing countries. Efficient utilisation of the available feed resources is a key factor in smallholder goat production. Goa...

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