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.
