Management and use of dairy cattle feed resources on smallholder certified organic pineapple farms in Central Uganda
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID)
Abstract
Formulation of exclusively organic diets that meet maintenance and
production requirements of dairy cattle is a major limitation to production of
premium organic products of animal origin. This study was therefore carried
out to assess the use and availability of feed resources and the coping strategies
used by farmers to overcome dry season feed shortages on 64 smallholder
certified organic pineapple farms. Data was collected using semi-structured
questionnaires and two focus group discussions. Majority of households were
headed by males (62.9%) while average age of respondents was 42.5 years.
Farmers allocated more land (P<0.05) to organic pineapple production
compared to livestock. Beside dairy cattle, farmers also kept chickens, goats
and pigs. Tethering was the commonest cattle management system. Fifty three
percent of respondents reported using both natural pastures and crop residues
as major dairy cattle feed resources while only 19% reported using elephant
grass. Banana peels (25.1%) and sweet potato vines (24.7%) were the most
important crop residues fed to cattle. Farmers reported high cost of
concentrates and scarcity of feeds as their biggest challenges in dairy cattle
production. Of the respondents, 51.4% conserved feed for their cattle as fodder
banks. As a coping strategy to feed shortages, majority (42.9%) of farmer
scavenged for feed resources from both organic certified and nonorganic
neighbouring farms which is contrary to organic livestock farming standards.
It was, therefore, concluded that management of livestock feeding in the study
area fell short of the requirements for organic livestock feeding standards.
Research to develop strategies that can use alternative on-farm feed resources through ensiling organic pineapple wastes during the dry season is
recommended as a long term strategy to address feed challenges for organic
livestock farmers.
Description
Keywords
Dairy cattle, Feeding systems, Organic livestock farming
Citation
Kiggundu, M., Kabi, F., Mette, V., Nalubwama, S., & Odhong, C. (2014). Management and use of dairy cattle feed resources on smallholder certified organic pineapple farms in Central Uganda. Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development (JAEID), 108(2), 207-225. DOI: 10.12895/jaeid.20142.253