Smallholder dairy systems in the Kenya highlands: breed preferences and breeding practices

Bebe, Bockline Omedo; Udo, H.M.J.; Rowlands, G.J.; Thorpe, W.R.

doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(03)00029-0

Cited by 96 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Our results confirm empirical studies indicating that improving feed quality results in higher milk yield, increases productive life by reducing age at first calving and days open of crossbred cows fed tropical forages (Vargas et al, 2001). Farmers' keep cattle in the Central highlands of Kenya to produce milk for the market -a regular source of cashand for family consumption, with minimal risk associated to the investments in inputs for cattle (Bebe et al, 2003a). Disposal decisions are rarely based on productive reasons and farmers keep cattle as long as they provide cash income, play insurance and finance roles, or provide manure for enhancing productivity of crops.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Lifetime productivity of dairy cows in smallholder farming systems of the Central highlands of Kenya

Rufino¹,

Herrero

Wijk³

et al. 2009

Animal

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Evaluation of lifetime productivity is sensible to target interventions for improving productivity of smallholder dairy systems in the highlands of East Africa, because cows are normally not disposed of based on productive reasons. Feeding strategies and involuntary culling may have long-term effects on productive (and therefore economic) performance of dairy systems. Because of the temporal scale needed to evaluate lifetime productivity, experimentation with feedstuffs in single lactations is not enough to assess improvements in productivity. A dynamic modelling approach was used to explore the effect of feeding strategies on the lifetime productivity of dairy cattle. We used LIVSIM (LIVestock SIMulator), an individual-based, dynamic model in which performance depends on genetic potential of the breed and feeding. We tested the model for the highlands of Central Kenya, and simulated individual animals throughout their lifetime using scenarios with different diets based on common feedstuffs used in these systems (Napier grass, maize stover and dairy concentrates), with and without imposing random mortality on different age classes. The simulations showed that it is possible to maximise lifetime productivity by supplementing concentrates to meet the nutrient requirements of cattle during lactation, and during early development to reduce age at first calving and extend productive life. Avoiding undernutrition during the dry period by supplementing the diet with 0.5 kg of concentrates per day helped to increase productivity and productive life, but in practice farmers may not perceive the immediate economic benefits because the results of this practice are manifested through a cumulative, long-term effect. Survival analyses indicated that unsupplemented diets prolong calving intervals and therefore, reduce lifetime productivity. The simulations with imposed random mortality showed a reduction of 43% to 65% in all productivity indicators. Milk production may be increased on average by 1400 kg per lactation by supplementing the diet with 5 kg of concentrates during early lactation and 1 kg during late lactation, although the optimal supplementation may change according to milk and concentrate prices. Reducing involuntary culling must be included as a key goal when designing interventions to improve productivity and sustainability of smallholder dairy systems, because increasing lifetime productivity may have a larger impact on smallholders' income than interventions targeted to only improving daily milk yields through feeding strategies.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Lifetime productivity of dairy cows in smallholder farming systems of the Central highlands of Kenya

Rufino¹,

Herrero

Wijk³

et al. 2009

Animal

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“…Trait preferences for cattle found in this study reflect the multiple needs of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, and are comparable with the findings of similar studies conducted in Southern Mali (Traoré et al, 2017) and Kenya (Bebe et al, 2003). Rowlands et al (2003) reported that the five traits farmers in Zimbabwe perceived by to be most important were size, adaptability, growth, temperament and fertility.…”

Section: Preference For Breeds and Traitssupporting

confidence: 87%

The potential of reproductive technologies in breeding smallholder cattle populations in Zimbabwe

Gororo¹,

Makuza²,

Chatiza³

et al. 2017

Int. J. Livest. Prod.

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Cattle are critical to most smallholder agricultural livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa. A study was carried out to assess breed and trait preferences, breeding practices, application and potential adoption of novel reproductive technologies by smallholder cattle farmers in four districts of Zimbabwe. The study revealed that famers are subsistence oriented and follow a resource driven production system. Herd size averaged 7.5±6.42, with dominance of indigenous breeds and their crosses, open communal breeding and non-existence of reproductive technology application. The major challenges faced include reproductive and tick-borne diseases, dry season feed shortage, and poor access to affordable good quality bulls. Brahman, Mashona, Afrikaner and Tuli were the most preferred breeds for their hardiness, fertility, reproductive efficiency and draught performance attributes. Low reproductive efficiency was revealed by long bull retention periods (>5 years), long calving intervals (>18 months), low pregnancy rates (41% of cows) and high ages at first calving (34 months). Farmers indicated moderate knowledge of artificial insemination and keen interest in using this technology with semen frozen from locally bred, indigenous sires to improve their herds. There is therefore both need and potential for the application of assisted reproduction techniques for improved genetic gain, performance and reduced inbreeding in smallholder cattle herds.

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“…In the study of Miazi et al (2007) in Bangladesh, crossbred animals were available only in close proximity to AI centers. In their study on dairy cattle in Kenya, Bebe et al (2003) also showed that farmers owning European B. taurus breeds were more dependent on AI than the ones using B. indicus. In a smallholder backyard pig production system in India, Kardivel et al (2013) showed that a crossbreeding with AI delivered in a participatory manner (i.e.…”

Section: Socio-economic and Technical Factors Around Crossbreeding Bamentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The studies of Bebe et al (2003) and Kim and Rothschild (2014) on Kenyan Friesian and crossbreds dairy cattle reported a large diversity of origins (Holstein, Ayrshire, Norwegian Red and Guernsey), even for animals nominally considered to be primarily Holstein.…”

Section: Crossbreeding Systems and Their Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review: Sustainability of crossbreeding in developing countries; definitely not like crossing a meadow…

Leroy

Baumung

Boêttcher

et al. 2016

animal

101

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Crossbreeding, considering either terminal or rotational crossing, synthetic breed creation or breed replacement, is often promoted as an efficient strategy to increase farmers' income through the improvement of productivity of local livestock in developing countries. Sustainability of crossbreeding is however frequently challenged by constraints such as poor adaptation to the local environment or lack of logistic support. In this review, we investigate factors that may influence the long-term success or the failure of crossbreeding programs, based on the scientific literature and country reports submitted for The Second Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Crossbreeding activities vary widely across species and countries. Its sustainability is dependent on different prerequisites such as continual access to adequate breeding stock (especially after the end of externally funded crossbreeding projects), the opportunity of improved livestock to express their genetic potential (e.g. through providing proper inputs) and integration within a reliable market chain. As formal crossbreeding programs are often associated with adoption of other technologies, they can be a catalyst for innovation and development for smallholders. Given the increasing global demand for animal products, as well as the potential environmental consequences of climate change, there is a need for practical research to improve the implementation of long-term crossbreeding programs in developing countries.

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Smallholder dairy systems in the Kenya highlands: breed preferences and breeding practices

Cited by 96 publications

References 13 publications

Lifetime productivity of dairy cows in smallholder farming systems of the Central highlands of Kenya

Lifetime productivity of dairy cows in smallholder farming systems of the Central highlands of Kenya

The potential of reproductive technologies in breeding smallholder cattle populations in Zimbabwe

Review: Sustainability of crossbreeding in developing countries; definitely not like crossing a meadow…

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