Temporal and spatial variability in the nutritive value of pasture vegetation and supplement feedstuffs for domestic ruminants in Western Kenya

Onyango, Alice A.; Dickhoefer, Uta; Rufino, Mariana C.; Butterbach‐Bahl, Klaus; Goopy, John P.

doi:10.5713/ajas.18.0114

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…Detailed analysis of the weighted feed basket has been reported elsewhere for Nyando (Onyango et al 2019), Nandi (Ndung'u et al 2019 and Bomet (Table S9; Ndung'u, Goopy, Onyango, unpubl. data).…”

Section: (Goats)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Calculation of new enteric methane emission factors for small ruminants in western Kenya highlights the heterogeneity of smallholder production systems

et al. 2021

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Context African livestock play a critical role in food security and the wider economy, while accounting for >70% of African agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Accurate estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock are required for inventory purposes and to assess the efficacy of mitigation measures. While there is an increasing number of studies assessing methane (CH4) emissions of cattle, little attention has been paid to small ruminants (SR). Aims Enteric CH4 emissions were assessed from 1345 SR in three counties of western Kenya to develop more accurate emission factors (EF) for enteric CH4 from sheep and goats. Methods Using on-farm animal activity data, feed samples were also analysed to produce estimates of feed digestibility by season and region. The combined data were also used to estimate daily CH4 production by season, location and class of animal to produce new EF for annual enteric CH4 production of SR. Key results Mean dry-matter digestibility of the feed basket was in the range of 58–64%, depending on region and season (~10% greater than Tier I estimates). EF were similar for sheep (4.4 vs 5 kg CH4/year), but lower for goats (3.7 vs 5 kg CH4/year) than those given for SR in developing countries in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Tier I) estimates. Conclusions Published estimates of EF for SR range widely across Africa. In smallholder systems in western Kenya, SR appear to be managed differently from cattle, and EF appear to be driven by different management considerations. Implications The findings highlighted the heterogenous nature of SR enteric emissions in East Africa, but also suggested that emissions from SR are quantitatively less important than other estimates suggest compared with cattle.

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Section: (Goats)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Calculation of new enteric methane emission factors for small ruminants in western Kenya highlights the heterogeneity of smallholder production systems

et al. 2021

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“…stovers, straws, hulls and haulms) alone contributes 60-87% of roughage portion of the dairy cattle feed [40]. These crop residues, though important sources of roughage, are highly seasonal with low nutritive values and therefore do not provide adequate nutrients required for dairy production [12,41].Consequently, animals fed on crop residue like maize stover would require supplements of higher nutritive value, since dry maize stover has low Crude Protein, CP (2.5% of dry matter) and is highly fibrous with neutral detergent fibres (NDFs) exceeding 70% of dry matter, DM [42]. Feed sources (quantity and quality) fluctuates between seasons (wet and dry), due to erratic and poor distribution of rainfall [9].…”

Section: Feed Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The wet season period in Eastern Africa is characterized by forage biomass, which is higher in quality and quantity, with crude protein up to 9% in most of the natural (native) grasses [41]. Natural grasses and legumes are rich and highly digestible at this period.…”

Section: Roughage Quality and Quantitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Natural grasses and legumes are rich and highly digestible at this period. As the dry season sets in, the protein level drops and the fibre increases [41]. There is an increase in lignin and voluntary intake decreases which makes it a poor feed, resulting in weight loss and decreased fertility and milk yield for about 4 to 5 months of the year.…”

Section: Roughage Quality and Quantitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The severity and duration of low-quality feed differs in Eastern Africa. Further, also during the wet season period the nutrient content of natural grasses on average is about 25% dry matter; 10% crude protein; 6% ash and a fibre content of 35% crude fibre or 43% acid detergent fibre (ADF) [41]. As the dry season advances and conditions become severe, their nutritional quality declines to the extent that crude protein could fall to as low as 2% [56].…”

Section: Roughage Quality and Quantitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Season Variation on Water, Feed, Milk Yield and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows in Smallholder Farms in Eastern Africa

Mudavadi

Emmanuel

Charles

et al. 2020

JAERI

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Aim: The smallholder dairy industry in Eastern Africa continues to be characterized by seasonality driven milk fluctuations and reproductive performance of dairy cows. In this review, we present important effects of changes in seasons on water, feed quantity and quality, milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy cows in smallholder dairy farms. Methods: We considered peer-reviewed publications from 1990 to 2019, and extracted any information pertaining to the effects and intensity of changes in seasons and implications on water, feed quality and quantity, milk yield and reproductive performance. Results: Seasonal variation in rainfall, characteristic of the East Africa region, is strongly reflected in cropping and feeding calendars. Hence, 305-days lactation milk production per cow in Eastern Africa ranges from 850-3150 kg/cow/year, which has not increased, partly because of lack of improvement in nutrition and management, but also due to slow genetic selection of breeds that matches available feed to milk yield and reproductive performance. High milk fluctuations arise mostly because of farmers’ dependence on rainfall for feed production and rarely make provisions for preserving fodder for the dry season, as there isn’t adequate forage (fodder and pasture) even during the wet season. Conclusion: For the smallholder dairy farmers to remain competitive, it is important to increase the dairy value chain capability to manage implications of changes in seasons on milk yield and reproduction. Therefore, in order to overcome the current seasonal changes, we have discussed technological interventions in adoption of practical, sustainable farmer-led strategies for optimizing water and feed production, milk yield and reproductive performance in Eastern Africa. We have also identified knowledge gaps where research is needed to guide dairy value chain stakeholders on how to ameliorate current seasonal changes or that we expect will occur in the future.

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Mineral nutrition of Samburu adolescents: A comparative study of pastoralist communities in Kenya

Iannotti

Lesorogol

Hilton

et al. 2021

American Journal of Biological Anthropology

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Objectives This study aimed to characterize mineral nutrition (copper, magnesium, selenium, and zinc) in Samburu pastoralist youth, in the context of differential cultural transitions due to uneven changes in educational access, herding intensity, polygyny, and access to wild, domesticated, and market‐sourced foods. Materials and methods Whole dried blood spots were collected in a total of 161 youth (highlands, n = 97; lowlands, n = 64) to assess concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead, magnesium, mercury, selenium, and zinc. Concentrations were determined through inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Dietary intakes were assessed by 24‐h recall method and calculation of the probability of inadequate intakes. WHO protocols were applied to collect anthropometric measures in the youth. Results Nearly half of the adolescents (47.8%) fell below the reference range for zinc status, and 88.2% had low zinc‐to‐copper ratios. High probability of nutrient inadequacies was evident for protein, fat, vitamins A, B12, C, and E. In generalized linear modeling, lowland residence was negatively associated with zinc status and the zinc‐to‐copper ratio, and positively correlated with selenium and copper status. Other significant correlates were dairy livestock ownership; wife number of the youth's mother; meat consumption; vegetable consumption; protein intake; infectious disease morbidities; BMI; and hemoglobin concentrations. Discussion In recent decades, Samburu pastoralists of northern Kenya have experienced marked dietary changes in the context of market integration, extreme drought, diminishing pasture availability, and violent civil conflict. Some children (particularly boys) successfully supplement their diets by foraging for wild foods, while others (particularly actively herding girls) may be more vulnerable.

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Temporal and spatial variability in the nutritive value of pasture vegetation and supplement feedstuffs for domestic ruminants in Western Kenya

Cited by 17 publications

References 16 publications

Calculation of new enteric methane emission factors for small ruminants in western Kenya highlights the heterogeneity of smallholder production systems

Calculation of new enteric methane emission factors for small ruminants in western Kenya highlights the heterogeneity of smallholder production systems

Effects of Season Variation on Water, Feed, Milk Yield and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows in Smallholder Farms in Eastern Africa

Mineral nutrition of Samburu adolescents: A comparative study of pastoralist communities in Kenya

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