Feeds and Animal Nutrition

Assessment of Forage Seed Sources, Storage Methods, and Quality analysis in East Belessa, Central Gondar, Ethiopia

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Assessment of Forage Seed Sources, Storage Methods, and Quality analysis in East Belessa, Central Gondar, Ethiopia Betelhem Atena Both the required amount and quality of forage seed are a key input for ensuring higher forage productivity. Access to certified seeds of improved forage varieties remains a challenge for smallholder farmers. This is particularly a bottleneck in areas where drought is common. This study was conducted with the objectives to assess the forage seed sources and storage methods, and to examine the effect of forage seed sources and storage methods on the quality of the forage seed. The study was carried out in 2024 in the East Belessa district of the Central Gonder zone of the Amhara region. The study included both household surveys, monitoring of forage seed storage methods, and laboratory experiments on the sampled forage seeds. Survey data was collected from 120 farmers using a structured questionnaire and leveraged from key informant interviews. Cowpea sample seeds were collected from forage seed sources and storage methods from 54 farmers while mung bean sample seeds were from both forage seed sources and storage methods from 42 farmers. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were employed for the survey and laboratory works, respectively. R-package and SPSS (v27.0) software were employed for data analysis. Only 20% and 24% of the respondents accessed the forage seeds from the Bureau of Agriculture (zonal/woreda office) and research centers, respectively. On the other hand, nearly 66% of them got the seed from informal sources, including their own saved seed, farmers, relatives, and neighbors. Farmers don’t access sesbania and pigeon pea seeds from formal sources. The laboratory analysis shows that there are significant variations (p<0.05) between formal and informal seed sources both for cowpea and mung bean for seed purity, seed germination, thousand seed weight, seedling dry weight, speed of germination, and vigour index two. The variations between cowpea formal and informal sources were significant for seedling shoot length and vigour index one, but not for mung bean. On the other hand, the difference between the formal and informal sources for seedling root length, both for cowpea and mung bean is not significant. Concerning the different storage conditions for cowpea and mung bean seeds, the study indicates non-significant variations between storage conditions for most of the quality parameters. This shows, that in the study area, the quality of cowpea and mung bean seed is not significantly influenced by storage facilities. Actively seek and use high-quality seed sources, including certified seed formal sources from research centers and agricultural offices, and adopt modern storage techniques (e.g., hermetic storage) to enhance seed viability, and train farmers on best practices for seed storage to minimize deterioration. Furthermore, policymakers assist farmers in accessing improved seed varieties through partnerships with NGOs and private enterprises.

Evaluation of Nutritional Value of Korch (Erythrina Abyssinica) and its Utilization as Livestock Feed in Sekela District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Evaluation of Nutritional Value of Korch (Erythrina Abyssinica) and its Utilization as Livestock Feed in Sekela District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Taye Getachew This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional value of Korch (Erythrina abyssinica) and its utilization as a livestock feed in the Sekela district, Amhara region, Ethiopia. The experiment was done during the dry season (February to April 2024). Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire interviews, field observations, key informant conversations, and focus group discussions. The study area was divided into two agroecologies: the highlands and the midlands. A total of 357 respondents, 231 from the highlands and 126 from the midlands were chosen randomly and given one-on-one interviews. E. abyssinica samples were collected from two altitudes, and the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were assessed. Data were gathered and examined using statistical procedure for social sciences (SPSS) version 26 (SPSS, 2011). The results of the study showed that a mixed crop-livestock production system was the dominant farming system in both altitude regions. The mean total land holding was 3.81±0.069 ha per HH. The average livestock holding size per HH was 7.01±0.11TLU and was significant (p<0.01) varied across agroecologies. The major feed resources were crop residues, natural pasture, aftermath grazing, atela, and hay. The major constraints related to livestock production were feed shortage, diseases, poor genetic potential, shortage of veterinary service, and water shortage. The feed utilization practice of E. abyssinica in the area was cut and carrying system. Many farmers appreciate the benefits of E. abyssinica for improving animal performance. According to farmers' perceptions in the study area, E. abyssinica can improve the growth rate and productivity of ruminant animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle. And also, their perception indicates that E. abyssinica can partly fill the deficient nutrients available in low-quality feeds during the dry season. Generally, E. abyssinica is very important for ruminant animal production and productivity if farmers provide timely and properly The DM and CP content is 93.38% and 22.06% respectively and there was no significant difference (p>0.05) among agroecologies. IVDMD (57.09%) and estimated biomass yields (2.85±0.038Kg) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the highland. Its ME (8.32 MJ/kg) was not significantly different (p>0.05) among agroecologies. In general, due to its high crude protein contents, better digestibility, and low fiber content E. abyssinica is able to be a dry season supplemental feed to increase ruminant performance and to maximize the utilization of low-quality feed resources when feed is in short supply.

Effect of Fertilizer Level and Harvesting Age on Morphological Characteristics, Dry Matter Yield and Chemical Composition of Sudan Grass (Sourghum Sudanese) Grown Under Irrigation, In Northern Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Effect of Fertilizer Level and Harvesting Age on Morphological Characteristics, Dry Matter Yield and Chemical Composition of Sudan Grass (Sourghum Sudanese) Grown Under Irrigation, In Northern Amhara Region, Ethiopia Azanu Fitalew The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of fertilizer level and harvesting age on morphological characteristics, dry matter yield and chemical composition of Sudan Grass (sourghum Sudanese) grown under irrigation condition at Soroka farmer training center (FTC), in northern Amhara Region, Ethiopia. A factorial arrangement in a random complete block design (RCBD) with four level of fertilizer (0, 50, 75 and 100kg/ha) and three harvesting ages (30, 50 and 70) with 3 replications in 3m×3m (9 m 2 ) plot size area were used. Data on morphological characteristics, dry matter yield and chemical composition of the grass were recorded. In addition, harvesting age significantly affected the morphological characteristics and DMY of Sudan grass except number of leaves per plant (NLPP). Plant height (PH), dry matter yield (DMY), leaf length (LL), number of root per plant (NRPP), root length (RL), and dry matter yield (DMY) which were increased with increasing harvesting age, while number of tillers per plant (NTPP) and leaf to stem ratio (LSR) were showed a decreasing trend. The CP content declined as the harvesting age increased, while NDF, ADF and ADL content increased. The highest ash content (13.48%) was recorded at middle (50) harvesting age. The Level of fertilizer application significantly affected plant height (PH), tillers per plant (NTPP), and number of leaf per plant (NLPP) but no other agronomic parameters of Sudan grass (cultivar Michello). Application of Fertilizer levels and harvesting ages had an interaction effect was significant on all chemical composition parameters, but not for on crud protein yield. The lowest NDF (67.87%) and the highest ash (13.38%) content were recorded from 50 kg fertilizer per hectare. From the result of the present study, it is concluded that Sudan grass can be harvested at 50 days of age and use 50 kg/ha level of fertilizer for good quality forage, higher dry matter and crude protein yield with minimum fertilizer cost. At last, to fully utilize the potential of Sudan grass, further studies on agronomic performances, and chemicals composition, under various agroecology and animal feeding trial evaluations are recommended.

Effects Of Cultivar And Harvesting Age On Morphological Characteristics, Yield And Nutritive Values Of Guinea Grass (Panicum Maximum) Grown Under Irrigation Condition In Different Locations Of Western Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Effects Of Cultivar And Harvesting Age On Morphological Characteristics, Yield And Nutritive Values Of Guinea Grass (Panicum Maximum) Grown Under Irrigation Condition In Different Locations Of Western Amhara Region, Ethiopia Adebabay Adane Effects of Cultivar and Harvesting Age on Morphological Characteristics, Yield and Nutritive Values of Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) Grown Under Irrigation Conditions in Different Locations of Western Amhara Region, Ethiopia Adebabay Adane1, Fentahun Meheret2 and Abule Ebro3 1Andassa Livestock Research Center, Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI), P.O. Box 27, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia 2College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P. O. Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia 3Wageningen University and Research, BRIDGE Project, P. O. Box 40675, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia The study was conducted at Andassa Livestock Research Center and North Mecha districts in Western Amhara with objective of evaluating morphological characteristics, yield and nutritive values and identifies best adaptable Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) based on factors of cultivar and harvesting age under irrigation conditions. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with a 3×3 factorial arrangement with three replications. The Panicum maximum cultivars were Mombasa, Tanzania and Degun gizia and harvesting ages were 60, 81 and 102 days after planting at Andassa and North Mecha locations. Panicum maximum was planted using vegetative root splits on a well-prepared land with spacing of 50 by 50 cm between rows and plants. The space between replicates and plots was 1.5 and 1m respectively. Agronomic managements such us hoeing, fertilizer application, irrigation and weeding were done manually. The morphological data were plant height, tiller number, number of leaves per plant, width and length of leaf, number and length of root and leaf-to-stem ratio collected and analyzed. The data also on dry matter yield, dry matter content, ash, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, metabolizable energy, In vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro organic matter digestibility were done. All collected data were subjected to a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the General Linear Model (GLM) SAS version 9.0 and Significant at (P<0.05) means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Analysis indicated that there were not significant interaction effects among harvesting age and cultivars of Panicum maximum for all studied morphological characteristics and chemical composition but leaf-to-stem ratio, dry matter yield, crude protein yield, digestibility and metabolizable energy values were observed interaction in the current study. The result indicated morphological characteristics, dry matter yield and nutritive values were affected significantly (P<0.05) by harvesting age and cultivars. At Andassa location, Mombasa had scored better values in most morphological characteristics, DMY (11.94t/ha), CPY, and fiber parameters while Tanzania scored CP (11.41%) with CPY; and Degun gizia cultivar exhibited better values on LSR, CP (11.47%) and digestibility content. At Mecha location also Mombasa scored better values on fiber parameters; Tanzania obtained CP (13.63%) and digestibility; Degun gizia also scored the highest values on LSR, CP (13.44%), fibers, DMY (9.84t/ha) and CPY. Early harvest age (60 days) resulted in the highest crude protein leaf-stem ratio, digestibility and energy while at late (102 days) high morphological characteristics and DMY. It was concluded that tested cultivars scored better dry matter yield and forage quality therefore use as an alternative forage resource for animals. Therefore, Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa and Tanzania were recommended at 81 harvesting ages in Andassa area while Mombasa and Degun gizia cultivars at 102 ages of harvest for Mecha and similar areas.