Assessment Of Feeding Practices And Performance Of Dairy Cattle In Kibaha District, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Two studies were carried out in Kibaha District to investigate feeding practices and

performance of dairy cattle kept by smallholder farmers. In experiment 1, formal survey

which aimed at assessing the existing feeding practices, performance and constraints,

involved 30 dairy farmers from 3 wards. In experiment 2, twenty four (24) lactating cows

from two wards, that is 12 cows from each ward, were monitored for one month where

intakes and milk yield were measured. In experiment 1; the performance in terms of

reproduction and milk yield of cows under both zero and full grazing, was low during wet

and dry seasons. Major constraints identified were nutritional related causes by the existing

feeding practices. In experiment 2, the overall percentages of crude protein (CP), in vitro

dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), calcium (Ca),

Phosphorus (P) and overall means of Metabolizable energy (ME MJ) contents of mixed

forages under full grazing were 6.18, 48.01, 73.58, 0.25, 0.16 and 6.88, while those under

zero grazing were 6.09, 49.08, 74.2, 0.24, 0.18 and 7.02, respectively. The overall daily

nutrient intakes (g/ kgW0.75) of zero grazed cows were 120, 7.48, 0.26, 0.21 and 0.86 MJ for

DM, CP, Ca, P and ME respectively. The daily milk yield of lactating cows under full

grazing and zero grazing systems measured during monitoring experiment were 5.45 and

6.59 l/cow, respectively. Production performance of dairy cattle observed during wet

season was suboptimal, probably due to underfeeding attributed by lack of adequate

supplementation. It is, therefore proposed to supplement the animals with concentrate that

will supply 41.6 MJ, 1012g CP, 38g Ca, and 22g P per cow/ day for optimal milk

production.