This paper presents the lessons learnt from a research project titled “Improving Beef Cattle Productivity for Enhanced Food Security and Efficient Utilization of Natural Resources in the Lake Victoria Basin” which i...This paper presents the lessons learnt from a research project titled “Improving Beef Cattle Productivity for Enhanced Food Security and Efficient Utilization of Natural Resources in the Lake Victoria Basin” which includes Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. The key focus is on the implications of land use land cover change and climate variability on the future prospects of beef cattle production in this region. The study utilizes information and data from natural resources and climate components to deduce the impact of land use and land cover changes on climate variability. Additional analysis is conducted to summarize the land use and land cover data to carry out analysis on climate data using the Mann-Kendal test, linear regression and moving averages to reveal patterns of change and trends in annual and seasonal rainfall and temperature. The findings reveal that the study areas of Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) have changed over time following land cover manipulations and land use change, coupled with climate variability. The grazing land has been converted to agriculture and settlements, thereby reducing cattle grazing land which is the cheapest and major feed source for ruminant livestock production. Although the cattle population has been on the increase in the same period, it has been largely attributed to the fact that the carrying capacity of available grazing areas had not been attained. The current stocking rates in the LVB reveal that the rangelands are greatly overstocked and overgrazed with land degradation already evidenced in some areas. Climate variability coupled with a decrease in grazing resources is driving unprecedented forage scarcity which is now a major limiting factor to cattle production. Crop cultivation and settlement expansion are major land use types overtaking grazing lands;therefore the incorporation of crop residues into ruminant feeding systems could be a feasible way to curtail rangeland degradation and increase beef cattle production.展开更多
The greatest limitation to utilization of maize stover by ruminants as a feed is the high concentration of lignin, which limits fibre digestibility. However, ruminants can effectively utilize maize stover if its nutri...The greatest limitation to utilization of maize stover by ruminants as a feed is the high concentration of lignin, which limits fibre digestibility. However, ruminants can effectively utilize maize stover if its nutritive value is improved using white rot fungal species. This study was designed to determine optimal biophysical conditions for mycelial growth and select the most ideal fungal species and pre-treatment options for improving nutritive value of maize stover. Four popular edible Pleurotus fungal species(viz.Pleurotus florida,Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor caju and Pleurotus pulmonarius) were subjected to varying temperatures, pH levels, hydrogen peroxide(H_2 O_2) concentration and illumination to establish the extent of mycelial growth rate.Inclusion of H_2 O_2 was used to determine optimal levels for preservation and prevention of contamination from other indigenous microbiota. Effects of pre-treatment options on chemical composition and nutritive value of maize stover were also examined. Mycelial growth rate of Pleurotus species on potato dextrose agar(PDA) varied(P < 0.05) with temperature, pH level and H_2 O_2 concentration following a quadratic trend. Optimal temperature, pH and H_2 O_2 concentration for mycelial growth on PDA were 25 ℃,5 and 0.01 mL/L, respectively. Under the different bio-physical conditions,P. sajor caju had the highest mycelia density and growth rate. Chemical composition of solid-state fermented maize stover differed(P < 0.05) among the Pleurotus species. Maize stover fermented with P. sajor caju had the highest crude protein(CP) of 86.6 g/kg DM, in-vitro dry matter digestibility(IVDMD) of 731 g/kg DM, in-vitro organic matter digestibility(IVOMD) of 670.4 g/kg DM and metabolizable energy(ME) of10.0 MJ/kg DM but with the lowest lignin(sa) of 50 g/kg DM. At 25℃, P. sajor caju had the highest mycelial growth rate on PDA and highest lignin(sa) breakdown in the maize stover substrate. It was, therefore,selected as the most ideal fungal species for improving nutritive value of maize stover. Pre-treatment of maize stover with Lactobacillus plantarum and molasses under anaerobic condition for 7 days before inoculation with P. sajor caju resulted into a substrate with the highest(P< 0.05) CP(96.6 g/kg DM), IVDMD(752.3 g/kg DM), IVOMD(687.2 g/kg DM) and ME(10.2 MJ/kg DM). However, neutral detergent fiber exclusive of residual ash(NDFom) and lignin(sa) fractions decreased(P < 0.05) as a result of subjecting maize stover to pre-treatment with L. plantarum and molasses prior to fermentation with P. sajor caju.Therefore, pre-treatment of maize stover with L. plantarum and molasses for 7 days prior to fermentation with P. sajorcaju for 14 days in darkness at 25℃ offered the greatest potential for breaking the lignin barrier.展开更多
Use of nonlinear mathematical models has been majorly based on in vitro gas production(GP) data generated when substrates are incubated with rumen liquor from fistulated steers. However,existing evidence suggests that...Use of nonlinear mathematical models has been majorly based on in vitro gas production(GP) data generated when substrates are incubated with rumen liquor from fistulated steers. However,existing evidence suggests that rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle of unknown dietary history also generates quantifiable in vitro GP data. Fitting and description of GP data obtained from 4 diets incubated with rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle was evaluated using single-pool exponential model with discrete lag time(EXPL), logistic(LOG), Groot's(GRTS) and Gompertz(GOMP) models. Diets were formulated by varying proportions of Rhodes grass(Chloris gayana) hay and a concentrate mixed on dry matter basis to be: 1,000 g/kg Rhodes grass hay(RGH) and 0 of the concentrate(D1), 900 g/kg RGH and 100 g/kg concentrate(D2), 800 g/kg RGH and 200 g/kg concentrate(D3), 700 g/kg RGH and 300 g/kg concentrate(D4). Dietary kinetics for the models were determined by measuring GP at 2,4.8,10.18,24.36,48.72,96 and 120 h. Model comparison was based on derived GP kinetics, graphical analysis of observed versus predicted GP profiles plus residual distribution and goodness-of-fit from analysis of root mean square error(RMSE), adjusted coefficient of determination(Adj-R^2) and Akaike's information criterion(AIC). Asymptotic GP, half-life and fractional rate of GP differed(P < 0.001) among the 4 models. The RMSE, Adj-R^2 and AIC ranged from 1.555 to 4.429,0.906 to0.984 and 2.452 to 15.874, respectively, forall diets compared across the 4 models. Based on the goodness-of-fit statistical criterion, GP profiles of D1 were more appropriately fitted and described by GRTS and GOMP than the EXPLand LOG models. The GRTS model had the lowest AIC value for D2(2.452). Although GRTS model had the most homogenous residual dispersion for the 4 diets, all the 4 models exhibited a sigmoidal behavior.Therefore, rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle of unknown dietary history can be used to derive nutritionally important feed parameters, but choice of the most appropriate model should be made based on fitting criteria and dietary substrates incubated.展开更多
This study was planned to analyse the basis that make Brachiaria species with greater feeding value than Napier grass(Pennisetum purpureum) for lactating dairy cows.Forty lactating crossbred cows were stallfed on Brac...This study was planned to analyse the basis that make Brachiaria species with greater feeding value than Napier grass(Pennisetum purpureum) for lactating dairy cows.Forty lactating crossbred cows were stallfed on Brachiaria brizantha cv.Piata or Napier grass cv.French Cameroon supplemented(mixed on fresh matter basis) or unsupplemented with Desmodium distortum, a forage legume.All cows were fed on fresh matter basis under small-holder farming conditions.Results showed that B.brizantha cv.Piata had higher contents of dry matter(DM), crude protein(CP) and organic matter(OM), but lower contents of neutral detergent fibre(NDF) and acid detergent fibre(ADF) than Napier grass(P < 0.001).The legume supplementation increased intakes of CP and metabolizable energy(ME; P < 0.001), with higher effect on cows fed B.brizantha cv.Piata than on cows fed Napier grass.Average daily milk yield was lower on diets based on Napier grass than those based on B.brizantha cv.Piata(P < 0.001).The retention time of the particle phase of digesta in the digestive tract was longer on Napier grass(83.1 h) than on B.brizantha cv.Piata(62.8 h)(P < 0.05).It was concluded that in dairy cows, legume supplementation of B.brizantha cv.Piata increases nutrient intake, hence resulting in higher milk yields than supplementation of Napier grass.展开更多
文摘This paper presents the lessons learnt from a research project titled “Improving Beef Cattle Productivity for Enhanced Food Security and Efficient Utilization of Natural Resources in the Lake Victoria Basin” which includes Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. The key focus is on the implications of land use land cover change and climate variability on the future prospects of beef cattle production in this region. The study utilizes information and data from natural resources and climate components to deduce the impact of land use and land cover changes on climate variability. Additional analysis is conducted to summarize the land use and land cover data to carry out analysis on climate data using the Mann-Kendal test, linear regression and moving averages to reveal patterns of change and trends in annual and seasonal rainfall and temperature. The findings reveal that the study areas of Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) have changed over time following land cover manipulations and land use change, coupled with climate variability. The grazing land has been converted to agriculture and settlements, thereby reducing cattle grazing land which is the cheapest and major feed source for ruminant livestock production. Although the cattle population has been on the increase in the same period, it has been largely attributed to the fact that the carrying capacity of available grazing areas had not been attained. The current stocking rates in the LVB reveal that the rangelands are greatly overstocked and overgrazed with land degradation already evidenced in some areas. Climate variability coupled with a decrease in grazing resources is driving unprecedented forage scarcity which is now a major limiting factor to cattle production. Crop cultivation and settlement expansion are major land use types overtaking grazing lands;therefore the incorporation of crop residues into ruminant feeding systems could be a feasible way to curtail rangeland degradation and increase beef cattle production.
基金East African Agricultural Productivity Project (EAAP)National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)the National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI) for the financial support during the progress of this work
文摘The greatest limitation to utilization of maize stover by ruminants as a feed is the high concentration of lignin, which limits fibre digestibility. However, ruminants can effectively utilize maize stover if its nutritive value is improved using white rot fungal species. This study was designed to determine optimal biophysical conditions for mycelial growth and select the most ideal fungal species and pre-treatment options for improving nutritive value of maize stover. Four popular edible Pleurotus fungal species(viz.Pleurotus florida,Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor caju and Pleurotus pulmonarius) were subjected to varying temperatures, pH levels, hydrogen peroxide(H_2 O_2) concentration and illumination to establish the extent of mycelial growth rate.Inclusion of H_2 O_2 was used to determine optimal levels for preservation and prevention of contamination from other indigenous microbiota. Effects of pre-treatment options on chemical composition and nutritive value of maize stover were also examined. Mycelial growth rate of Pleurotus species on potato dextrose agar(PDA) varied(P < 0.05) with temperature, pH level and H_2 O_2 concentration following a quadratic trend. Optimal temperature, pH and H_2 O_2 concentration for mycelial growth on PDA were 25 ℃,5 and 0.01 mL/L, respectively. Under the different bio-physical conditions,P. sajor caju had the highest mycelia density and growth rate. Chemical composition of solid-state fermented maize stover differed(P < 0.05) among the Pleurotus species. Maize stover fermented with P. sajor caju had the highest crude protein(CP) of 86.6 g/kg DM, in-vitro dry matter digestibility(IVDMD) of 731 g/kg DM, in-vitro organic matter digestibility(IVOMD) of 670.4 g/kg DM and metabolizable energy(ME) of10.0 MJ/kg DM but with the lowest lignin(sa) of 50 g/kg DM. At 25℃, P. sajor caju had the highest mycelial growth rate on PDA and highest lignin(sa) breakdown in the maize stover substrate. It was, therefore,selected as the most ideal fungal species for improving nutritive value of maize stover. Pre-treatment of maize stover with Lactobacillus plantarum and molasses under anaerobic condition for 7 days before inoculation with P. sajor caju resulted into a substrate with the highest(P< 0.05) CP(96.6 g/kg DM), IVDMD(752.3 g/kg DM), IVOMD(687.2 g/kg DM) and ME(10.2 MJ/kg DM). However, neutral detergent fiber exclusive of residual ash(NDFom) and lignin(sa) fractions decreased(P < 0.05) as a result of subjecting maize stover to pre-treatment with L. plantarum and molasses prior to fermentation with P. sajor caju.Therefore, pre-treatment of maize stover with L. plantarum and molasses for 7 days prior to fermentation with P. sajorcaju for 14 days in darkness at 25℃ offered the greatest potential for breaking the lignin barrier.
基金the Livestock and Fisheries Programme(LFP 04) of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa(ASARECA-RC12_LFP-04 under the auspices of the World Bank for providing financial support to undertake this research
文摘Use of nonlinear mathematical models has been majorly based on in vitro gas production(GP) data generated when substrates are incubated with rumen liquor from fistulated steers. However,existing evidence suggests that rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle of unknown dietary history also generates quantifiable in vitro GP data. Fitting and description of GP data obtained from 4 diets incubated with rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle was evaluated using single-pool exponential model with discrete lag time(EXPL), logistic(LOG), Groot's(GRTS) and Gompertz(GOMP) models. Diets were formulated by varying proportions of Rhodes grass(Chloris gayana) hay and a concentrate mixed on dry matter basis to be: 1,000 g/kg Rhodes grass hay(RGH) and 0 of the concentrate(D1), 900 g/kg RGH and 100 g/kg concentrate(D2), 800 g/kg RGH and 200 g/kg concentrate(D3), 700 g/kg RGH and 300 g/kg concentrate(D4). Dietary kinetics for the models were determined by measuring GP at 2,4.8,10.18,24.36,48.72,96 and 120 h. Model comparison was based on derived GP kinetics, graphical analysis of observed versus predicted GP profiles plus residual distribution and goodness-of-fit from analysis of root mean square error(RMSE), adjusted coefficient of determination(Adj-R^2) and Akaike's information criterion(AIC). Asymptotic GP, half-life and fractional rate of GP differed(P < 0.001) among the 4 models. The RMSE, Adj-R^2 and AIC ranged from 1.555 to 4.429,0.906 to0.984 and 2.452 to 15.874, respectively, forall diets compared across the 4 models. Based on the goodness-of-fit statistical criterion, GP profiles of D1 were more appropriately fitted and described by GRTS and GOMP than the EXPLand LOG models. The GRTS model had the lowest AIC value for D2(2.452). Although GRTS model had the most homogenous residual dispersion for the 4 diets, all the 4 models exhibited a sigmoidal behavior.Therefore, rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle of unknown dietary history can be used to derive nutritionally important feed parameters, but choice of the most appropriate model should be made based on fitting criteria and dietary substrates incubated.
基金financial support from Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) funded project on "Climate smart Brachiaria grasses to improve livestock production in East Africa" through Biosciences for eastern and central Africa under International Livestock Research Institute (Bec A-ILRI),Nairobi,Kenyathe CGIAR Fund
文摘This study was planned to analyse the basis that make Brachiaria species with greater feeding value than Napier grass(Pennisetum purpureum) for lactating dairy cows.Forty lactating crossbred cows were stallfed on Brachiaria brizantha cv.Piata or Napier grass cv.French Cameroon supplemented(mixed on fresh matter basis) or unsupplemented with Desmodium distortum, a forage legume.All cows were fed on fresh matter basis under small-holder farming conditions.Results showed that B.brizantha cv.Piata had higher contents of dry matter(DM), crude protein(CP) and organic matter(OM), but lower contents of neutral detergent fibre(NDF) and acid detergent fibre(ADF) than Napier grass(P < 0.001).The legume supplementation increased intakes of CP and metabolizable energy(ME; P < 0.001), with higher effect on cows fed B.brizantha cv.Piata than on cows fed Napier grass.Average daily milk yield was lower on diets based on Napier grass than those based on B.brizantha cv.Piata(P < 0.001).The retention time of the particle phase of digesta in the digestive tract was longer on Napier grass(83.1 h) than on B.brizantha cv.Piata(62.8 h)(P < 0.05).It was concluded that in dairy cows, legume supplementation of B.brizantha cv.Piata increases nutrient intake, hence resulting in higher milk yields than supplementation of Napier grass.
