Assessing the Economic Efficiency of Dairy Production Systems in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

The objective of this paper is to estimate economic efficiency in the dairy production sector in Uasin Gishu County of Kenya. Zero grazing, semi-zero grazing and open grazing production systems are analyzed separately using the Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier cost function. In a second stage we examine the degree to which the calculated efficiency correlates with a set of explanatory variables using a censored regression model. The results indicate that each of the three milk production systems is relatively inefficient, with potential in all cases for reducing input costs or increasing output. Economic efficiency increased with the level of intensification of milk production, with open grazing, semi-zero grazing and zero grazing attaining 0.43, 0.51 and 0.69 respectively. The maximum likelihood estimates of milk production were an increasing function of cost of feeds and equipment in the three production systems with statistical significance of 5%. The estimated determinants of economic efficiency were positively related with education and social capital, and negatively related with gender, land size and market access. Keywords: Dairy production; Economic efficiency; Frontier cost function and Intensificatio

Competitiveness of Smallholder Milk Production Systems in Uasin Gishu County of Kenya

In Uasin Gishu County of Kenya the rapidly declining household land sizes are a pre-requisite to increased intensification in dairy production. Although various dairy production pathways are used by farmers in the County, it has not been established which one of them would be comparatively competitive to enhance commercialization process and lead to attractive returns to smallholders investing in milk production. The objective of this paper is to estimate competitiveness in the smallholder dairy production sector in Uasin Gishu County. Stratified sampling and proportional sampling followed by random sampling within the stratum were employed to select 246 smallholder dairy farmers. Zero grazing, semi-zero grazing and open grazing production systems are analyzed separately using the gross margin, net margin and return on investment. The results indicate that the gross margin and net margin in smallholder milk production (Kshs/liter) were significantly influenced by the intensification pathway adopted. The gross margin and profit per liter decreased with an increase in the level of intensification with free grazing system and zero grazing having mean profit of Kshs. 20.19 and Kshs. 8.25 respectively. The returns on investment for free grazing, semi–zero grazing and zero grazing milk production systems were 34.07%, 40.22%, 25.67% respectively. Intensive milk production is relatively more profitable, however profitability of milk production/liter however reduced with intensification due to the higher feed and labour costs in more intensive systems. In conclusion, smallholder dairy production was an economically viable enterprise in Uasin Gishu County. Milk producers need extension services and finance to improve on feed production and utilization technologies in order to increase their profitability. Suggested future works include determining the options of improving market access so that it’s positive contribution to dairy competitiveness is strengthened. Keywords: Milk production; competitiveness, profit and intensificatio

Intensification of dairy production can increase the GHG mitigation potential of the land use sector in East Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) could face food shortages in the future because of its growing population. Agricultural expansion causes forest degradation in SSA through livestock grazing, reducing forest carbon (C) sinks and increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, intensification should produce more food while reducing pressure on forests. This study assessed the potential for the dairy sector in Kenya to contribute to low-emissions development by exploring three feeding scenarios. The analyses used empirical spatially explicit data, and a simulation model to quantify milk production, agricultural emissions and forest C loss due to grazing. The scenarios explored improvements in forage quality (Fo), feed conservation (Fe) and concentrate supplementation (Co): FoCo fed high-quality Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), FeCo supplemented maize silage and FoFeCo a combination of Napier, silage and concentrates. Land shortages and forest C loss due to grazing were quantified with land requirements and feed availability around forests. All scenarios increased milk yields by 44%–51%, FoCo reduced GHG emission intensity from 2.4 ± 0.1 to 1.6 ± 0.1 kg CO2eq per kg milk, FeCo reduced it to 2.2 ± 0.1, whereas FoFeCo increased it to 2.7 ± 0.2 kg CO2eq per kg milk because of land use change emissions. Closing the yield gap of maize by increasing N fertilizer use reduced emission intensities by 17% due to reduced emissions from conversion of grazing land. FoCo was the only scenario that mitigated agricultural and forest emissions by reducing emission intensity by 33% and overall emissions by 2.5% showing that intensification of dairy in a low-income country can increase milk yields without increasing emissions. There are, however, risks of C leakage if agricultural and forest policies are not aligned leading to loss of forest to produce concentrates. This approach will aid the assessment of the climate-smartness of livestock production practices at the national level in East Africa

Genome-wide analysis reveals the ancient and recent admixture history of East African Shorthorn Zebu from Western Kenya

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Effects of feeding systems and breed of cattle on reproductive performance and milk production on smallholder farms.

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Integrating Characterization of Smallholders’ Feeding Practices with On-Farm Feeding Trials to Improve Utilization of Crop Residues on Smallholder Farms

This study characterized wheat straw feeding practices in smallholder farms using cross sectional survey and the results informed the design of an experiment to improve the nutritive value of wheat straw with urea and yeast culture treatment. Three diets tested in 49 days’ feeding trial were farmers’ rainy season feeding practice (FP), addition of urea to wheat straw at the time of feeding (USWS), and 14 days’ incubation of straw with urea (UTWS). Yeast culture (15 g/day) was mixed with commercial dairy meal at the point of feeding. Survey data identified farmers’ strategies in utilizing crop residues of which most important were improving storage facility (77.6%), adding molasses (54.5%), and buying a shredding machine (45.1%). On-farm feeding trial showed that intake was higher for UTWS than (p<0.05) for USWS while milk yield was higher with FP than (p<0.005) with UTWS or USWS but not different (p≥0.05) between UTWS and USWS. Results imply that farmers feeding practices of crop residues may be improved for dairy cows’ feeding and therefore UTWS could be used to support maintenance and milk production during dry season. Improving farmers feed storage facilities and training on incubation of wheat straw for dairy cattle feeding were recommended

Incorporation of Milk Yield, Dry Matter Intake and Phosphorous Excretion Predictive Functions in the Development of a Multi-Objective Dairy Feed Formulation Software Program

Abstract Predictive functions for milk yield, dry matter intake, and phosphorous-manure derived from the National Research Council 2001 and the present study were incorporated in the development of a multiple objective dairy feed formulation software program (MoF-Dairy Edition-2010); that attempted to optimise feed cost, milk yield and profits while minimising Phosphorous-excretion in manure. Important objects in the feed milling industry considered in the program development were feed millers, dairy farmers, and government feed policy regulatory guidelines. The multi-objective formulation approach comprises hierarchical design levels which include data, model, tools, and output layers. Program database objects are manipulated using VB.NET programming language within a Microsoft .NET Framework Environment. Users interact with the program by providing individual details after which a customer system instance is created. Program formulation inputs are entered through VB forms linked to the core simulation model layer (Microsoft SQL Server Database) to automatically calculate and generate nutrient requirements in accordance with NRC, 2001 for the particular cow or cow production groups under specified production performance parameters. The final solution is obtained by allowing the program to solve for the most feasible combination of available ingredients under the imposed formulation, ingredient as well as nutrient constraints. Program outputs include tailor-made reports on feed formulae; and the accompanying physical nutrient compositions and nutrient deviation analysis; potential unit and gross P-manure environmental pollution, and business economic analysis; detailing concentrate supplementation rates per cow per milking as well as the corresponding projected daily milk profit margins

Options for efficient utilisation of high fibre feed resources in low input ruminant production systems in a changing environment: A review

One of the major effects of climate change is disruption in normal weather patterns, especially an increase in long-term annual temperature, and more frequent and intense droughts and floods. These changes have impact on the natural resource base that includes plants, animals and biodiversity. Consequently, this diminishes feed and water resources which livestock depend on to survive and therefore impacting negatively on food security and household incomes of smallholder livestock producers and pastoralists, the majority of whom are found in the tropics. Efficient utilization of available feed resource by ruminants, most of it being high in fibre and low in protein content is often constrained by low digestibility and inefficient metabolism of absorbed nutrients at the tissue metabolic level. The low digestibility of high fibre forage in ruminants is mainly attributed to a high level of lignification and a deficiency of essential nutrients, especially nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) that are required by rumen microbes for optimal growth. Furthermore, the absorbed nutrients also tend to be imbalanced in the ratio of protein to energy and/or acetogenic to glucogenic substrates. As a result the intake of high fibre forages in ruminants is often associated with a significant loss of feed energy as heat increment and methane (CH4) gas production, with the later also contributing significantly to global warming through greenhouse gas emissions. This review gives an overview of the various strategies in the form of treatment and supplementation that have been shown to improve digestion and intake of high fibre forages in ruminants, and also reducing CH4 gas production. The role of rumen degradable nutrients as well as by-pass nutrients in enhancing digestion and absorption of nutrients that are balanced in protein: energy ratio and/or acetogenic: glucogenic substrates is also reviewed and suggested as one way of increasing metabolic efficiency of absorbed nutrients at the tissue level to reduce heat increment. The role of glucogenic substrates such as propionate and protein/amino acids in ensuring an adequate supply of reducing equivalents in the form of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) that is required for the conservation of excess acetate as fat in the adipose tissue and also for regeneration of oxaloacetate for efficient VFA energy metabolism in the body tissues is also reviewed. It is concluded that a multipronged approach combining treatment with supplementation with cheap and locally available rumen degradable nutrients (e.g. molasses-urea liquid mixture and the urea-molasses-mineral based multi-nutrient block) and bypass nutrients that are compatible with low input ruminant production systems holds the key to increasing efficiency in the utilization of high fibre-low protein forage in ruminants. This can play a major role in increasing the capacity of smallholder livestock producers and pastoralists in most parts of the tropics to adapt and therefore mitigate the adverse effects of climate change