On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Rhodes Grass and<i> Sylosanthus guanensis</i> in Selected Districts of Sheka and Bench-Maji Zones, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The need to evaluate and identify the adaptability of these improved forage crops on station had been to identify the promising forage species to the particular agro-ecology. On farm evaluation and demonstration of Rhodes grass and Stylosanthus guanensis was carried out on 20 farmers' fields in Yeki and Sheko districts of Sheka and Bench-Maji zones during 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. The study was to evaluate and demonstrate Rhodes grass and stylosanthus gaunensis at farmers' level and to assess farmers' opinion. The forages were planted on 10×10 plot size on each farmer's farm land. Dry matter yield, seed yield data and farmers perceptions were evaluated. The result indicated that there was variability in performance of the improved forage species between the districts and among the farmers within the districts. The dry matter yield and seed yield for Rhodes grass obtained range from 6-10t/ha and 190.3-315.4 kg/ha respectively. For Stylosanthus guanensis, the highest dry matter was obtained in sheko district (5.1t/ha) and the lowest mean dry matter yield recorded in yeki district (3.5t/ha). Similarly, highest seed yield (269.5 kg ha -1 /year) was obtained in sheko district whereas the lowest seed yield (179.2 kg ha -1 /year) was obtained in yeki district. Most of the farmers were select Rhodes grass than stylosanthus on majority of selection criteria. Further demonstration of improved forage crops allows farmers to improve their knowledge and understanding on cultivation and utilization of forages crops for their animals.

Management practice of the Sheko cattle breed in Ethiopia: A review

“…Consequently, Sheko cattle keepers increasingly resort to tethered feeding. Therefore, the average cattle herd size is declining, which also discourages the maintenance of the Sheko cattle breed (Desta et al, 2011;Mengistu et al, 2017). There is a notable lack of awareness and poor feed resource management, utilization, preservation, treatment and development (Hailu, 2020).…”

“…According to Mengistu et al (2017), water sources for cattle in the area are rivers, springs and ponds. The majority of the people give water to their cattle twice a day during the dry season, others offer water to their cattle once a day and some of them water their animals three times a day by tracking the animals to the watering point.…”

“…The distance to a water hole is another factor that limits the rearing of cattle. About 86.4% of producers travelled 1-4 km to reach drinking water for their animals (Mengistu et al, 2017). Some communities need more accessible watering points and natural mineral licks to fully utilize the genetic potential of the Sheko cattle breed (Desta et al, 2011).…”

“…The majority of cattle keepers in Mejenger (81.2%) and 47% in Bench-Sheko zones keep their animals in separately constructed houses made of wood with a grass-covered roof (Mengistu et al, 2017). At night, cattle are housed not far from the family house to protect them from cold, rain, predators and theft (Alemu, 1990).…”

“…Calves are kept separate from their dams, either within an annex connected to most houses or independently situated in and around the family house, typically within a horse shelter. Often the roof of a cattle house is made of grasses (Mengistu et al, 2017;Hailu, 2020).…”