Research
Assessment of Livestock Production System and Feed Resources Availability at Melka Watershed of Nile Basin, Jeldu District, Western Ethiopia
A rapid assessment on the livestock feed resource availability and livestock production system was undertaken to identify main livestock production constraints and come up with possible intervention strategies in the Melka watershed area of the Nile basin. The watershed was chosen for its strategic representation and accessibility. Three villages (Abeyi, Bore’a and Dini) were selected for the study from Melka watershed area of Jeldu district. A total of 45 participants were selected from the three villages for the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and individual interviews. The FEAST excel macro program (www.ilri.org/feast) was used for data summary and analysis. Livestock production in the study area is mainly based on production of indigenous livestock breeds, with the exception of Bore’a village, where some farmers keep crossbred dairy cattle. Livestock serve as sources of draught power and manure for crop production, and sources of meat, milk and eggs and as sources of cash income. However, the productivity level of the livestock resources was indicated to be very low.
Growth Performance of F1 Friesian X Boran Crossbred Dairy Calves Supplemented with Effective Micro organism (EM) Fermented Wheat Bran (Bokashi) in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia
This experiment was designed to investigate the biological and economical response of feeding effective microorganisms treated wheat bran provided at different level to young crossbred calves. Twenty crossbred Frisian*Boran calves weighing (100± 10.85) kg and 6 months of age were selected and divided randomly in to 4 similar treatment groups (5 animals each group) in 100 days feeding trial. All the calves in the different groups were fed similar basal diet of native pasture hay. The first group (T1, control) fed native hay as a basal diet and concentrate mixture as a supplement. Group 2, 3 and 4 (T2, T3 and T4) fed the same basal diet and concentrate mixture replaced by 33, 66 and 100 % EM treated wheat bran, respectively.
Study on the Occurrence of External and Gastrointestinal Parasites and Sub-clinical Mastitis on Crossbred Dairy Cows under Different Feeding and Management Conditions in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia
On-farm intervention strategies based on feeding and general management practice including hygiene and sanitation towards on the reduction of occurrence of external and gastrointestinal parasites and sub clinical mastitis on cross breed lactating dairy cows was conducted during the dry season in West Shewa Zone, central Ethiopia. A total of 34 cows in early to mid lactation with an average body weight of 369.29 ±38.58 kg were selected based on parity, milk yield, days in milk, body weight and health status and assigned in to two groups; 17 cows of one group were maintained as farmers’ usual practice (control diet = T0), and the rest 17 were supplemented with urea-molasses multi-nutrient block (UMMB) together with a concentrate mixture (55% wheat bran, 43 % linseed cake and 2% salt) in natural pasture hay based diet under stall feeding condition (intervention diet = T1). Moreover, the udder and associated hygienic condition of cows in T1 group were implemented by farmers as per the advice and follow up of the researchers and veterinarians. The study showed that, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (41.2%), external parasites (ticks) (47.1%) and sub clinical mastitis (47.1%) in the T0 group was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared with cows managed under T1 group. The nematode parasite (strongylus sp) was the only parasite group encountered in both treatment groups. The mean EPG count observed under T0 group was 120.8, which is markedly higher (P<0.05) compared to cows managed in T1 group. This study revealed that the prevalence of external and gastrointestinal parasites as well as sub clinical mastitis was higher in cows kept under T0 than the T1 group. Hence, the improved nutritional intervention along with relative good hygienic and feeding management conditions practiced in T1 group significantly reduced the occurrence of external and gastrointestinal parasites as well as sub clinical mastitis.
