Chemical composition of three herbaceous tropical forage legumes grown successfully in Zimbabwe

A scientific study on animal- feed nutrition for better stock production in Zimbabwe.Desmodium uncinatum, Stylosanthes guianensis and Macroptilium atropurpureum, grown at the University of Zimbabwe Farm, were harvested serially in the early (December), mid (February) and late (April) growing season in 1992/93 and oven-dried. Field-cured hays were also made from the legumes in April 1993 and 1994. The legumes differed in phenological development which, in turn, influenced crude protein (CP) levels. The CP content of S. guianensis (132 to 167 g/kg dry matter) was the least and first rose and then fell, that of D. uncinatum (195 to 234 g/kg DM) decreased, while that of M. atropurpureum (189 to 229 g/kg DM) increased with the season. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was higher in the early (364 to 440 g/kg DM) than in the mid to late season (470 to 559 g/kg DM). S. guianensis was the most fibrous in April, while D. uncinatum contained the most lignin across the season (148 to 159 g/kg DM). The legumes, especially M. atropurpureum, were rich in calcium (9.8 to 20.4 g/kg DM) and phosphorus (1.8 to 3.3 g/kg DM). Hay making was associated with loss of quality (e.g., 14 to 31 percent less CP and 12 to 51 percent more NDF) that was attributable to leaf loss. D. uncinatum hay contained the most fibre, lignin and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen and the least minerals. It is concluded that, overall, M. atropurpureum was chemically the most nutritious legume

Socio-economic aspects in draught animal-crop linkages: a diagnostic study of Tsholotsho, Chinyika and Mutoko smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe

A research paper on Zimbabwe's small-holder farmers' constraints in crop production due to shortages of draught animal power during the 1994/95 agricultural season.A survey was conducted on 451 households in Tsholotsho, Chinyika and Mutoko smallholder areas to understand farmers’ crop production constraints in relation to draught animal power (DAP) during the 1994/95 agricultural season. Farmers without DAP constituted 48.6 percent in the three districts. Of these, 54.5 percent had access to neighbours’ or relatives’ animals. The rest hired or worked in others’ fields in exchange for draught animals. Animal diseases and shortage of grazing land were noted as the major constraints in animal production. Both farmer education and experience as well as household head were found to be associated with district (p<0.001). Tsholotsho had the largest number of farmers (52.8 percent) with more than 10 years experience while Mutoko had the largest proportion (43.3 percent) of Master farmers. Farmer education and experience were found to be independent of sex. The average land holdings per farmer for Tsholotsho, Chinyika and Mutoko were 6.21 ha, 4.22 ha and 1.62 ha, respectively. Tsholotsho is a dryland communal area whilst Chinyika is a relatively wet area. Mutoko is a typical communal area with a high population pressure. Maize is the main crop in Chinyika and Mutoko whilst millet is the most common in Tsholotsho

Protein nutrition of underfed beef cows suckling two calves

Protein nutrition of underfed beef cows suckling two calves was studied during early lactation using Hereford x British Friesian cows. Feeding the cows with white fish-meal in each of the three years produced calves with a high growth rate (0,97k g/day).T he use of either groundnutm eal or soyabean meal gave a response which was less than that obtained with fish-meal. lt would seem that the more undegradable the protein source, the greater is the response in calf growth rate. The change in weight loss altered and could be related to a change in the nature of weight loss, from mainly fat tissue to less protein and water.Proteienvoeding van ondervoede vleisbees koeie wat twee kalwers laat suip is ondersoek gedurende vroed laktasie deur gebruik te maak van Hereford x Britse Frieskoeie. Die voer van die koeie net uit vismeel in elk van die drie jare het kalwers geproduseer met 'n hoe groeitempo (0,97 kg/dag). Die gebruik van grondboontjiemeeol f sojaboontjiemeehl et 'n kleiner respons as di6 met vismeel tot gevolg gehad. Skynbaar is die respons in kalf groeitempo groter, hoe moeiliker afbreekbaard ie protel'enbronis . Die veranderingi n gewigsverlies het verander en kon in verband gebring word met die verandering in die aard van die gewigsverliesv, an hoofsaaklik vetweefsel na minder protelen en water.Keywords: Underfed beef cows, two calves, undegradable protein