No abstract

Livestocks fed with high-quality forage deliver better milk and meat, which could benefit the nutritional health of their keepers and consumers. Six alfalfa genotypes were assessed across four locations, Arba Minch, Areka Mante Dubo, Bonga and Hawassa Dilla, for adaptability, forage dry matter (DM) yield, crude protein (CP) concentration, nutrient composition and digestibility characteristics from August 2016 to January 2019. The genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plant height at forage harvest was significantly (P < 0.001) varied across the environment among genotypes. Nutrient components, such as neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and lignin, hemicelluloses, in vitro DM digestibility and relative feed value, were significantly (P < 0.01) different for genotype variations. The highest mean DM yield was recorded for FGI-9001 followed by FGI-3054. The highest plant height was recorded for FGI-8091 (60.13 cm), while the shortest genotype was FGI-1011. CP yield was recorded above the threshold level for all genotypes in the test. Highest in vitro DM digestibility and relative feed value with the lowest neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and lignin and cellulose contents were recorded for FGI-9001. Tested alfalfa genotypes varied in terms of forage yield and nutritional quality at different locations. Thus, the result indicates the potential of genotypes, indicating the promotion to advanced varietal evaluation stages including animal test and release as better alternatives for use in the farming system in rain fed condition and irrigation.

Sheep population in Ethiopia is among the largest in East Africa and sub-Saharan Africa and it increased from 25.5 million in 2012 to 31.8 million in 2017 (FAOSTAT, 2017). Small ruminants are mainly kept by smallholder farmers and the rural poor. Sheep contribute substantially as a source of income, food (meat and milk), and industrial raw materials (skin and wool). In addition, sheep production has a socioeconomic and cultural function and contributes to risk mitigation during crop failures, increase property security, and serve as a form of investment (Tibbo, 2006). Ethiopia has a large and diverse sheep population which is divided to four groups based on morphological characteristics and geographic distribution: (a) Sub-Alpine short-fat-tailed, (b) Highland long-fat-tailed, (c) Lowland fat-rumped/tailed, and (d) Lowland thin-tailed groups (Gizaw, Komen, Hanotte, & Van Arendonk, 2008). Bonga sheep belong to the Highland long-fat-tailed group and have physical features characterized by long fat tail with straight tapering end (98.4%), hairy coat, large size, and predominantly plain brown in color (57.9%; Gizaw et al., 2011). Average adult body weights of female and male Bonga sheep are 32 and 48 kg, respectively (Edea, 2008), and the breed is considered among the large-sized sheep breeds in Ethiopia. Kaffa, Sheka, and Bench zones of Southern State are the home region of the Bonga sheep with 66% of the total population being reared in Kaffa zone (CSA, 2017). The reproductive performance of sheep in Ethiopia varies among breeds, types, and locations. Major traits differences include age at first lambing, litter size, lambing interval, and lifetime productivity of the ewe (Abate, 2016).

The mineral soil samples were collected from the study site from a depth of 30 cm to analyze for the status of mineral content in soil commonly supplemented as mineral and serum of sheep. The result revealed that the mean content of macro (%) and trace (ppm) elements in two different type were Ca (0.41, 0.51); Mg (0.20, 0.16); K (0.31, 0.40); Na (3.01, 4.86); P (0.02, 0.04); Fe (92.24, 87.09); Mn (165, 120); Zn (12.16, 17.56) and Cu (4.52, 5.06), respectively. A high content of Na (P<0.01) and Mn (P<0.001) was observed in makaduwa mineral soil. The concentration of Ca and Na in makaduwa was at the level to meet the Ca and Mg requirements of ruminants. The Na, Fe, and Mn contents in both bole and makaduwa are above the requirement level, whereas Zn, P, and Cu contents are below the requirement. Serum mineral concentration is within the normal range for Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn for those fed mineral soil.