Goat production in the tropics and mitigation to feed shortage in different production systems in Eastern, Tanzania

Seasonal feed fluctuation is the common problem among livestock keepers in the tropics. Even though there have been several intervention programs to the farm level little is known after these projects had phased out. This study was conducted to describe goat production systems, feed shortage mitigation in the dry period, versatility of previous feed shortage mitigation projects and identify other challenges in Eastern Tanzania. Stratified random sampling technique was employed whereby goat farmers under small scale intensive system (n = 21) in Tchenzema and Nyandira wards and extensive pastoralist system (n = 37) in Mangae and Dakawa wards were visited and interviewed on herd size, goat management, challenges they face and their suggested solutions. Informal discussion with the key informants namely Ward Livestock Officers (WLO) about issues facing the goat farmers was also conducted. Collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS IBM 22) to generate descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test for the herd structure and size and Chi-square for proportions analysis. There were significant differences between the intensive and pastoralists herd structure and size. Interviewed pastoralists (91.9%) and interviewed intensive farmers (76.2%) kept goat as the source of income. Goats were also kept as food source by 78.4% and 100% pastoralists and interviewed intensive farmers, respectively. Pastoralists (2.7%) and 95.2% intensive farmers benefited by goat manure, extra importance of goat production among pastoralists was insurance (43.2%) and traditional uses (10.8%). Intensive farmers tethered and fed concentrates to their goats alternatively pastoralists relied on grazing in the communal rangeland with little supplementation. Pastoralists mentioned dry period (July-October) as the time when goat feeds were scarce, intensive farmers experienced shortage during their farm fields’ preparation for crop cultivation. To mitigate scarcity intensive farmers opted for cut and carry system (71.4%), tether their goats elsewhere (42.9%), feeding goat planted pasture (28.6%), leave a portion of prepared land for goat tethering (14.3%), feeding concentrates (14.3%), and use of alternative feed resources. In contrast pastoralists relied on migration (73%), alternative unconventional feed resources such as shrubs (27%), concentrates (16.2%) and changing of grazing system (2.7%). Next to feed shortage, infectious diseases were major problems. Other challenges included marketing, as mentioned by 35.1% of pastoralists and 33.3% of intensive farmers. Goat theft (8.1%) and wildlife invasion (2.7%) were considered among pastoralists and intensive farmers complained about poor production (4.8%). Suggestions associated with the improvement of goat nutrition (farmers training and improve inputs) were shown not to associate with the production system. It was concluded that farmers in the two production systems had different period of feed shortage which was mitigated by changing management activities and feedstuffs among intensive farmers and migration among pastoralist. There was also widely adoption of the pasture establishment among intensive farmers as part of feed shortage mitigation probably from the previous projects. Marketing of goat products, wildlife invasion, theft and poor production had their own role in hindering goat farming as well

Dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility and growth performance in goats fed grass-based diet (Brachiaria or Cenchrus) compared with a concentrate-based diet

Dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter intake (DMI) and growth performance of concentrate- and forage-based diets were investigated using 24 growing Blended goats (12 males, 12 females) weighing 16.5±1.2 kg (mean±sd). Goats were blocked by sex and assigned randomly to three dietary treatments that were fed for 10 weeks, after two weeks of adaptation. Dietary treatments were MRG (40% maize bran, 40% rice bran, 20% Gliricidia leaf meal), BG (80% Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã, 20% Gliricidia leaf meal) and CG (80% Cenchrus ciliaris, 20% Gliricidia leaf meal). All diets contained sufficient nutrients to meet the requirements of growing goats. The MRG diet had lower DMI than CG, likely because MRG had small particle size and goats adapted slowly to that diet. Average daily weight gain was 10.7, 9.9 and 22.8 g/day for MRG, BG, and CG respectively, and did not differ among the diets. Goats fed MRG had lower overall live weight change than goats fed CG, while goats fed BG were intermediate. These findings indicate that B. brizantha cv. Piatã and C. ciliaris are equally useful as supplementary feedstuffs for growing goats during the dry season

Evaluation of rangeland condition in miombo woodlands in eastern Tanzania in relation to season and distance from settlements

Miombo woodlands sustainability in east and south-central Africa is threatened by human activities, including overgrazing. This study investigated seasonal variations in rangeland condition in three grazed areas in miombo woodlands in eastern Tanzania. Transect lines were established across the grazing areas, sampling points were identified and marked at every 10% of the length of transect line. Sampling points were categorised in different distances with respect to settlement. The line intercept method was used to collect data on vegetation cover and forage distribution, while herbaceous forage biomass was estimated using a disc pasture meter. A total of 118 different plant species were observed and grasses comprised 40.6% of all herbaceous species. Bothriochloa pertusa, Cynodon plectostachyus, Hyparrhenia rufa and Urochloa mosambicensis grass species dominated miombo grazed areas in various seasons and distances. These perennial grass species are desirable and indicated moderate grazing activities in miombo. Season affected grass cover, herbaceous forage biomass and nutritional composition. Grass cover and forage biomass were at the lowest during late dry season while forage nutritional quality was best during early dry season. Distance from settlement had no effect on grass cover and herbaceous forage biomass. Rangeland condition was generally fair, livestock stocking rate in continuously grazed drylands should be set at the lowest monthly forage biomass in order to ensure grazing land sustainability

Rangeland and livestock management practices for improved herder livelihoods in miombo woodland

Rangelands are valuable resources for livestock production and contribute positively to herders livelihoods. The shrinking of open rangelands used for grazing has led to utilization of miombo woodlands as alternative grazing resource. Miombo woodlands are biomes with both understory herbaceous species and relatively dense tree cover. It is therefore important that livestock and grazing management practices maintain both rangeland condition and tree cover in miombo. The current study was conducted to assess herders’ management and condition of assigned grazing land in miombo woodlands. Household survey was used to investigate indigenous rangelands and livestock management practices among herders. Seasonal miombo grazing land condition was evaluated in Ihombwe, Kigunga and Ulaya Mbuyuni villages using botanical composition, vegetation structure and forage condition. A feeding trial with goats was used to evaluate potential supplementary diets (Brachiaria brizantha cv Piatã, Cenchrus ciliaris and concentrates) for their intake and growth performance. Herders in studied miombo kept indigenous livestock species and relied on them mostly for food and income. The miombo grazing land had good tree cover (923-1136 trees/ha) and diverse herbaceous plant communities. Increaser 2a grass species were the most prevalent herbaceous plants in the studied Ihombwe village. These grass species indicated good rangeland condition and moderate grazing intensity. Poor grass cover during dry seasons and high prevalence of Increaser 2b and 2c in Ulaya Mbuyuni and Kigunga villages indicated poor condition and early stage of degradation in the two areas. Above ground herbaceous forage biomass varied seasonally and was at the lowest (299 kg DM/ha) during late dry period. Rangeland improvement practices such as use of forage reserves to enable forage availability during dry season were limited among herders in the studied miombo. Unclear land tenure system was mentioned as the major reason for neglecting rangeland improvement in miombo grazing land. Evaluated supplementary feeds to be fed during dry periods had enough nutrients to meet requirements of indigenous livestock species. Goats fed concentrates had lower feed intake and overall live weight change compared to those in C. ciliaris diet while B. brizantha cv Piatã fed goats were intermediate. C. ciliaris and B. brizantha cv Piatã were shown to be better supplementary diet for feeding livestock during late dry period when there is forage shortage. It was concluded that some studied miombo grazed areas were in poor condition and showed early sign of degradation, however, current livestock grazing in miombo supported herders livelihood without causing negative effects on tree cover

On-farm evaluation of growth performance and nutritional values of Brachiaria hybrid and Pennisetum purpureum cultivars in Southern Highlands, Tanzania

Improved cultivars (cvs.) of Brachiaria hybrid and Pennisetum purpureum forages have been studied extensively in research settings but still there is a paucity of information about their on-farm performance. This study was therefore set to evaluate the on-farm performance of Brachiaria hybrid cvs. Cayman and Cobra, and Pennisetum purpureum cvs. ILRI 16835 and Ouma in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. A total of 30 smallholder dairy farmers who cultivated these improved forage grasses were involved in this study. A 2 m × 2 m sub-plot was marked in established pasture plots and a standardised cut at a 5–7 cm stubble height was done at the beginning of this study. The forage growth performance was conducted from April–July, 2021 (dry period) in two phases of 6 weeks each. These cultivars were evaluated for their above-ground growth performance and nutritional values at the end of each phase. Plant height, leaf length, leaf widths, and number of tillers per plant among cultivars varied significantly (p 0.05). Crude protein values did not vary significantly among cultivars (p > 0.05), they were 131–141 g kg−1 dry matter (DM). These values were not able to meet the nutritional requirements of the lactating dairy cow. Brachiaria hybrid cv. Cayman had the lowest (p < 0.05) neutral detergent fibre (NDF, 539 g kg−1 DM) compared to other cultivars (545–571 g kg−1 DM), hence high digestibility. It was concluded that Cayman was the best cultivar for forage production in the Southern Highlands, Tanzania due to its low NDF content. However, lower biomass warrants mixing of Cayman with other feeds to meet the daily requirements of a lactating dairy cow