Forage conservation in sub‐Saharan Africa: Review of experiences, challenges, and opportunities

Balehegn, Mulubrhan; Ayantunde, Augustine A.; Amole, T. A.; Njarui, Dennis; Nkosi, B.D.; Müller, Francuois; Meeske, R.; Tjelele, Tlou Julius; Malebana, I.M.M.; Madibela, Othusitse Ricky; Boitumelo, Wame Shaimane; Lukuyu, Ben A.; Addah, W.; Minani, Elias; Adesogan, A.T.

doi:10.1002/agj2.20954

Cited by 30 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…This study used dried cassava leaves, while Wanapat et al ( 2018) supplemented cows with top silage. It has been reported that silage plays a critical role in reducing anti-nutritional contents and improving the feed quality of tree and shrub legumes (Balehegn et al, 2022), which could increase milk production in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Effect of dried Leucaena leucocephala and Manihot esculenta supplementation leaves on feed intake, milk production, and milk composition of Holstein Friesian x Ankole crossbred cows

Barwani

Bacigale²,

Ayagirwe

et al. 2023

Preprint

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This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dried Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and cassava (Manihot esculenta) leaves on feed intake, milk production, and milk composition of Holstein Friesian x Ankole crossbred cows. Three cows in early lactation, with initial milk production of 4 ± 1.20 kg/day and 359 ± 24 kg average live body weight, were randomly assigned to the experimental diet in a 3x3 Latin square design. Three 15-day experimental periods were adopted (1 to 10-day: diet adaptation and 11 to 15-day: data collection). Cows were fed on a freshly chopped Guatemala grass diet supplemented with 1.25 kg DM of brewers’ spent grain (control). The experimental diets were similar to the control diet differing in the presence of dried Leucaena or cassava leaves, both at the inclusion rate of 20% of the basal diet intake. Total dry matter intake, nutrient intake, milk production, and milk composition showed significant variation among treatments. Cows supplemented with dried cassava leaves had higher total dry matter intake and organic matter intake. Leucaena significantly increased (p < 0.001) daily milk production by 15% compared to cassava (3%). Leucaena had a higher milk fat content (38.44 g), while cassava and the control diet had higher milk protein (38.53 and 38.43 g), lactose (56.79 g and 56.111 g), and not-fat solids (102.41 g and 101.27 g). These results indicate that dried Leucaena and cassava leaves can be used as protein supplements for Guatemala grass basal diet for crossbred cows to improve milk production and quality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Effect of dried Leucaena leucocephala and Manihot esculenta supplementation leaves on feed intake, milk production, and milk composition of Holstein Friesian x Ankole crossbred cows

Barwani

Bacigale²,

Ayagirwe

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…However, the dry season is when goats graze freely, making such interventions less feasible. Additionally, there are significant challenges to forage preservation such as investment, climate, education, and social hurdles (Balehegn et al, 2022). Whilst goat selling/trading does occur year round, there is a peak through July and August (Kaumbata et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional characterisation and seasonal variation of goat forages in Central Malawi

Cooke,

Mvula,

Nalivata

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Goat ownership is prevalent across rural Malawi and provides a vital source of income, nutrition, and food security. However, goat performance is poor, and this presents a risk to individuals and communities who depend on them. Whilst mitigating this through supplementation of persevered forages may be possible, this is a challenge due to limitations of resources and the fact that goats typically free-roam during the dry season. Nutrition is fundamental to health and productivity of any livestock enterprise, it is required to be able to deal with stresses, such as disease, and to enable growth and production. The aim of this study was to characterise the nutritional profile of naturally available forages in Malawi, including the seasonal variation in nutrition. Samples of herbaceous forages and browse were collected over a 17-month period, across four villages (30 farms/smallholders) in Central Malawi. Forages underwent nutritional analysis for crude protein, fibre fractions, and ash/organic matter and NDVI obtained from satellite imagery was used as a measure of forage availability. Forage nutrition and availability were most adequate in the wet season, with higher concentrations of crude protein and a greater availability of herbaceous plants. There were significant differences in low-digestibility fibre fractions between locations, likely due to local factors such as soil and hydrology. The fall in crude protein concentrations from the wet season to the dry season represent a seasonal nutrition-gap which may result in risks to goat health and productivity.

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“…However, frequent clipping/defoliation intervals are preferred in Kenya for daily feed requirements and are imperative in smallholder systems typical in agropastoral areas (Mwendia et al, 2022). This is because many farmers in the semi‐arid lands have not yet fully embraced feed conservation (Balehegn et al, 2022), thus the need for regular feed acquisition for their livestock. On the other hand, as noted earlier, fodder cultivation has gained a foothold in semi‐arid Kenya and this has seen some farmers only cutting their grasses after seed harvesting (Lugusa, 2015; Omollo, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological and productivity responses of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) ecotypes to simulated grazing in a semi‐arid environment

et al. 2022

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Background Livestock production is an economically significant activity in grassland‐based production systems with herbivory, a critical process in modifying plant structure and regulating biomass dynamics in these areas. Methods A grazing simulation experiment was undertaken in a semi‐arid environment in Kenya to determine the effects of clipping frequency and intensity on the morphology and productivity of Cenchrus ciliaris and Panicum maximum grass ecotypes. The ecotypes were clipped at different frequencies (every 2, 4, and 12 weeks) and different intensities (5, 10, and 15 cm clipping heights). The morphological responses of the grass ecotypes and biomass yields were determined. Results The grass ecotypes showed significantly (p < 0.05) varied responses to cutting frequency and intensity. Morphological parameters, tillering, and biomass production were all affected by clipping frequency and intensity. The highest dry matter (DM) yields were recorded under low frequency (LF) clipping, followed by moderate frequency (MF) clipping and high frequency (HF) clipping. LF clipping in C. ciliaris ecotype Kilifi was 20% and 31% more compared to MF and HF clipping. No significant difference in yields was found by cutting the C. ciliaris ecotype Magadi at 4‐ and 12‐week intervals, even though clipping at 2‐week intervals cumulatively yielded less biomass. There was a biomass yield reduction in P. maximum ecotype Taveta of 23% and 25% for MF and HF clipping, respectively, while for ecotype Isinya, the reduction was 13% and 15% for MF and HF, respectively. Clipping intensity had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on cumulative yields in C. ciliaris ecotypes, but not P. maximum. Ecotypic differences were apparent in both C. ciliaris and P. maximum ecotype DM yields. Conclusions The results in this study suggest that clipping range grass ecotypes less frequently (4‐ and 12‐week intervals) and at 10 and 15 cm stubble heights results in higher biomass yields. Generally, LF and MF grazing and cutting strategies are advantageous for semi‐arid lands. Combinations of frequent and high‐intensity utilization grazing strategies should be discouraged as they are likely to lead to reduced biomass yields and negative effects both on grasses and on the environment.

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Forage conservation in sub‐Saharan Africa: Review of experiences, challenges, and opportunities

Cited by 30 publications

References 94 publications

Effect of dried Leucaena leucocephala and Manihot esculenta supplementation leaves on feed intake, milk production, and milk composition of Holstein Friesian x Ankole crossbred cows

Effect of dried Leucaena leucocephala and Manihot esculenta supplementation leaves on feed intake, milk production, and milk composition of Holstein Friesian x Ankole crossbred cows

Nutritional characterisation and seasonal variation of goat forages in Central Malawi

Morphological and productivity responses of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) ecotypes to simulated grazing in a semi‐arid environment

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