SAMARA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF DRYLAND AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES

ASSESSMENT OF LIVESTOCK FEED RESOURCES IN ASAYTA TOWN

SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL

SCIENCES

By:
ID No
Hashim Redi……………………………………… CDA/R/078/06
Melkamu Fekadu……………………………………CDA/R/082/06
Muhammad Ali…………………………………......CDA/R/081/06
Tadela Asmera……………………………………. CDA/R/086/06
Abdi Ibrahim………………………………………..CDA/R/052/06

Advisor: Mr. Natnael Demelash (MSc.)

May, 2016
Samara, Ethiopia
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all we would like to thank God who create this universe and who help us to complete this
paper. Secondly, we would like to thank our lovely advisors Mr. Natnael Demelash who guide us
by giving important comments or suggestions frankly throughout the study of this work. Also we
would like to thanks our family for their unreserved financial/economical support; lastly we want
to thanks librarians servants for they permission to use library material.

i
 LIST OF ABBREVIATION

AGSE Agricultural sample Enumeration

CSA Central Statistical Authority

0
C Degree centigrade
0
E Degree east
‘
E Minute east

ELDMPS Ethiopia Livestock Development Master plan study

FEAST Feed Assessment Tool

GDP Gross Domestic product

HH House hold

Km Kilometer

IBCR Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research

IBP Industrial by product

MM Millimeter

Ms Meters
0
N Degree North
‘
N Minute North

PARADP pastoralist in Afar Regional and Agricultural Development program

SD Standard deviavation

Sq.km Square kilometer

UMMB Urea Molasses Multi-Nutrient Block

ii
 TABLE OF CONTENT

Contents Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..............................................................................................................................i
LIST OF ABBREVIATION..........................................................................................................................ii
LIST OF TABLE...........................................................................................................................................v
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................................v
1. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................1
1.1. Background and Justification..............................................................................................................1
1.2. Statement of the Problem...................................................................................................................2
1.3. Significance of the Study....................................................................................................................2
1.4. Objectives...........................................................................................................................................2
2. LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................................................3
2.1. Livestock Production in Ethiopia........................................................................................................3
2.2 Livestock Feed Resources..................................................................................................................3
2.2.1. Natural pasture...........................................................................................................................3

2.2.2. Crop Residues............................................................................................................................4

2.2.3 Hay...........................................................................................................................................5

2.2.4 Concentrates and agro-industrial by products.............................................................................5

2.3. Seasonal Constraints of Feed availability...........................................................................................6

2.4. Opportunities OF Improvement s of Feed Resource..........................................................................6
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS...............................................................................................................8
3.1. Description of the Study Area.............................................................................................................8
3.1.1. Location.....................................................................................................................................8

3.1.2. Climate, population and area coverage......................................................................................8

3.1.3. Land use land cover...................................................................................................................8

3.2. Sampling Techniques and Sample Size..............................................................................................9

3.3. Data Collection Procedure..................................................................................................................9
3.4. Data Analysis......................................................................................................................................9

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4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS..........................................................................................................10
4.1. Household Characteristics................................................................................................................10
4.2. Livestock Production in the study area.............................................................................................10
4.3. Livestock Feed Resource..................................................................................................................11
4.4 .Major livestock production constraint..............................................................................................12
4.5. Possible solutions for livestock constraints......................................................................................13
4.6. Types of feed resources during the dry and wet seasons..................................................................14
4.7. Supplementary feeds during critical feed shortage...........................................................................16
4.8. Feeding system (Feeding strategies..................................................................................................17
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.......................................................................................18
5.1. Conclusion........................................................................................................................................18
5.2. Recommendations.............................................................................................................................18
6. REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................19
7. QUESTIONNAIRES...............................................................................................................................22

iv
 LIST OF TABLE

Table 1. Household characteristics............................................................................................10

Table 2. Composition and average number of livestock in the study area....................................11
Table 3. Major livestock feed resources in the study area....................................................12
Table 4. Type of crop residues in the study area....................................................................12
Table 5. Major livestock production constraints ranked by respondents............................13
Table 6.possiblesolution for livestock production constraints in the study area...........................14
Table 7. Type of feed resource during dry and wet seasons..........................................................15
Table 8. Source of purchased feed............................................................................................16
Table 9 .Main supplementary feeds during critical feed shortage.......................................16
Table 10. Livestock feeding system..............................................................................................17

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 ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to asses’ available feed resources, feeding system, opportunities and
problems for livestock production in Asayta town using questionnaires, face to face interview
and discussion. Purposive sampling procedure was used to selected kebeles and respondents.
About forty livestock owners were selected in the study area. There were different livestock feed
resources such as concentrate, improved forage, hay, and crop residues. Respondents mention
different livestock production constraints like feed shortage, shortage of water, drought, market
problem, livestock diseases, shortage of land, bush encroachment. Among those problems feed
shortage, lack of water, increased market price of feeds, drought and diseases are the major
limiting factors to livestock production. Therefore purchase of animal feeds, improved forage
production, selling of animals and practicing of feed conservation were some of possible
solutions for livestock production constraints in the study area.

Key words: constraint, feed, livestock

vi
 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background and Justification

Livestock production is an integral part of the agricultural activity in Ethiopia. The livestock
sector provides 12-16% of GDP and 30-35% of the agricultural GDP in the country (ELDMPS,
2007). The development of livestock sub sector in Ethiopia is hindered by lack of quality feed
production, Agro pastoral and small scale are the major farming systems in the low land parts of
Ethiopia. It is associated with agro ecological zones that are too dry to sustain crop production
and the livestock production system mainly characterized by mobility for search of grazing
pasture and water. Those areas found at an altitude of below 1500.m.a.s.l and where the annual
precipitation is less than 500 mm and livestock are maintained as primarily activity (Alemu,
2009).

The main feed resources for livestock in Ethiopia were natural pasture and crop residues which
are low in quality and quantity for sustainable livestock production (Tesema and Alemu, 2010).
Agro industrial by products, concentrated feeds, hay and improved forage are the other source of
livestock feed (Donald et al., 2010, Adugna and Meraya, 2008). Ethiopia has largest livestock
production and diverse agro ecological zone suitable for livestock production and growing type
of feed and fodder crops. However livestock production is mostly been subsistence oriented
characterized by evenly low production and reproduction performance (Adugna, 2008).Livestock
production in dry areas can be characterized as opportunistic management of the rangelands with
mobile herds. The dry land pastoralists raise mixed species of primary livestock, usually camel
and cattle keep supplementary herds of goats and sheep. Camels were best suited to the arid
desert area like Afar. Livestock productivity in most production systems are mainly constrained
by inadequate feed supply in terms of quality and quantity. Because it is completely dependent
on natural pasture and crop residues which are low in nutritional content. The main source of
feed in most part of country is currently with rapid increase of human population and
exploitation of available of land and with the rapidly decrease in grazing land the use of crop
residue increasing. However cereals /straw and Stover which from bulk of crop residues are

1
characterized by their low digestibility, low metabolizeble energy content, low intact and content
of available mineral and vitamin (Netsanet et al., 2010).

Feed shortage is the main cause for the poor performance of livestock productivity. Feed is any
component diet that serves some useful function in the body of the animal. Feed are raw
materials for livestock production enterprise depend to large extent improper nutrition and feed
(Payne and William, 1999). Feed quality quantity, ecological deterioration, land tenure shortage
of feed and drought are constraints of available livestock feed source (Mede and Takale, 2007,
Adugna, 2014). The purpose of the study is therefore to assess the available livestock feed
resources and feeding system of the study area.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

Available livestock feed resources of Asayta woreda might be studied before, but feed resources
and major constraints for livestock production of the Asayta town not studied so far. So, to fill
this gap and to give supporting information for further study this paper has been initiated.

1.3. Significance of the Study

The result of this study may give benefits the available main feed resource livestock feed
produces by providing proper method of feeding and management. In addition, it provide
information for policy makers in improvement of livestock feed and will be used as secondary
source of data for further study regarding with livestock feed resource in Asayta town.

1.4. Objectives

The study was conducted for the following specific objectives:

 To assess the available livestock feed resources and feeding systems; and the seasonal
variation in availability of feeds of Asayta Town
 To assess the livestock production systems, and the challenges and opportunities for
livestock production and productivity. `

2
 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Livestock Production in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa. An estimate indicates that
the country was a home for about 30.7 million heads of cattle, 24 million of sheep and 19
million goats, 1.16 million of camel, 56.86 million of poultry, 3.77 million of donkey and 1.45
million horse own that largest livestock population in Africa and is among of the top ten the
world (CSA, 2010).The majority of cattle population in Ethiopia (78%) is found in mixed
farming highland and mid altitude zones and the rest (22%) are found lowland zone of the
country (Alemu, 2009). The livestock sub-sectors have an enormous contribution to Ethiopian
national economy and livelihoods of many Ethiopians and still promising to rally round the
economic development of the country. The livestock sub-sector plays vital roles in generate
income to farmers, creating job opportunities, ensuring food security, providing service,
contributing to asset, social, cultural and environmental values, and sustain livelihood
(ELDMPS, 2007).

2.2 Livestock Feed Resources

Availability of feed is used for livestock and in the tropics natural pasture and crop residues are
common. The other sources of feed for livestock are improved forages and agro-industrial by
products. Many crop residues are characterized by high lignin and low protein contents, and low
digestibility; and, agro-industrial by products on the other hand are high in protein, and are very
useful feed supplements (Alemu, 2009). Preserving of forage was a means of distributing forage
throughout the year and was usually in excess during spring and early summer and in deficient
for the rest of the year (Solomon, 2009).

2.2.1. Natural pasture

Natural pastures which provide more than 90% of livestock feed are very poorly managed in
different ecological zones (Birhanu et al., 2009). Natural pastures are naturally occurring grasses,
legumes, shrubs and trees forage that are used as animal feed. The availability and quality of

3
natural pasture vary with altitudes, rainfall, soil type and cropping intensity. The level and
distribution of available soil nutrients and water are the main limiting factors (Alemayehu,
2010).

In mixed farming mid–altitude areas better soil are used for cropping and main permanent
pasture land are found on the upper slope of hill and seasonal water logged areas. In the lowland
where extensive pastoralist is practiced most of the land covered with natural pasture which
contributes 53% of the total land mass of the country. Even though the amount of grazing land
seems to be large, the yield and quality of pasture is very low. Due to poor management and over
stocking; natural pasture in different agro-ecological zones are highly over grazed and resulting
in serious land degradation and dominated by unpalatable plant species (Alemu et al., 2010).

2.2.2. Crop residues

Crop residues are becoming increasingly important as roughage feed lots. Major Field crops
produce large quantity of crop residues (straw, Stover and haulm) in addition to grain. These
including cereal straws from wheat, Teff, barley and cereal Stover like maize and sorghum.
Grain legumes haulms such as field pea, chickpea, lentils, ground nut etc. Sweet potato vines
sugar cane top and by products are also becoming very important crop residues used for animal
feeding are straw of cereal and pulse. The most important components of the crop residues are
the leave and stem that remains after the grain is harvested (Adana et al., 2008).The nutritive
value of crop residue is variable depending upon the species and variety of the crop, time of
harvest and handling. Straws and stovers are generally characterized by relatively low nutrient
content, high fiber content, low digestibility and low voluntary intake (limited consumption) by
animals. (Adugna, 2008).

Thus good quality straw can be regarded as feed lots next to grass hay the provision of such
feeds should be designed in such way that they come from easily accessible source in an
economic way (Adugna, 2008). Wide variety of arable crop is grown on subsistence farm
holdings and many of these crops have residues which can form an important source of livestock
feed, following the harvesting of grain. Livestock in mixed crop livestock farming systems two
to three months in to a dry season feed on cereal straw, stubble or other left over’s such as maize

4
Stover(Ynenshet, 2010). Straws were an agricultural by product, the dry –stalk of cereal plants,
after the grain and chaff have been removed (Tesfaye, 2007).

2.2.3 Hay

The traditional method of conservation green forage crop is hay making. ‘The aim of hay making
is reducing the moisture content of green crop to low enough to inhibit the action of plant and
microbial enzymes (Donald et al., 2009). Conserving of forage was a mean of distributing forage
throughout the year and was usually in excess during spring and early summer and in deficient
for the rest of the year. So forage conservation was desirable to provide feed during the dry
seasons those were categorized in two standing hay and harvested hay. Barley and wheat plant
material were occasionally cut green and made into hay for animal fodder (Solomon, 2009).

2.2.4 Concentrates and agro-industrial by products

The main characteristics of all concentrate feed are that they contain relatively large quantity of
major fat constituents. The most common concentrates feed including milling by product (wheat,
barley, middling, rich bran, molasses, wholes cotton seed and occasional surplus grain or grain
damaged during processing (Adugna, 2008).Concentrates had low fiber content and a high
content of either protein or energy or both. Cereal grains for example were considered as primary
energy source but also contribute a significant amount of protein .Energy source concentrates;
were include cereal grain, molasses, and food processing by product. Protein source concentrate;
supplements generally were products with more than 20% crude protein (Cheeke, 2005).

Agro- industrial by product of the primarily processing crops including bran and related by
products of flour mills oil seed cake from small and large scale of oil processing plants and by
product of sugar factories such as molasses ,agro industrial by products(Endashaw, 2008).The
sugar industries in Ethiopia had many factories among those at three sites (Wonji, Shoa and
Methara ). The present area of cane was 13,000 ha and the estimated yield of cane tops was
6tones dry matter per hectare or 78,000tones dry matter per year. Production of molasses in
1981/82 was 51,100 tones 0f which 29, 000 tones ware exported. At present the use of a
molasses /urea mixture as a drought –relief feed has been started in a pilot scheme run jointly by
the ministry of Agriculture (Bartholomew, 2003). Urea molasses multi nutrient block –nutrient

5
(UMMB) was usually made up of molasses, urea, cement or lime, bran, eventually protein rich
by product, salt, and water which were mixed and processed in to form of a solid and compact
block. The block should be well accepted by livestock and shall provide essential nutrient such
as protein and minerals (Sahoo and Bhushan, 2009).

2.3. Seasonal Constraints of Feed availability

During late dry season livestock feed is normally in short supply and is also in poor quality.
Residues from cereals are main source of feed but these are low in protein content and have poor
digestibility. The production of adequate quantity of good quality dry season feeds which
tolerant drought and treating crop residues by different treatments are the only options to
overcome the shortage of feed during the dry season that affect the livestock production in
Ethiopia. The use of deep-rooted browse species has root system which better able to a plot soil
water resource than forage species (Alemayehu, 2006).Natural grazing was the major source of
livestock feed and in the lowlands livestock production was almost totally dependent on it.
However, grazing lands do not fulfill the nutritional requirements of animals particularly in the
dry season, due to poor management and their inherent low productivities and poor quality
(Tolera and Ababa, 2007).One of the most unfortunate characteristics of Ethiopia climate was
great variability and erratic rain fall from year. Drought was particularly common in the pastoral
area where rain fall is unpredictable and unreliable (Alemayehu, 2004).

6
2.4. Opportunities of Improvements of Feed Resource

Biological resource was fundamental to human wellbeing; in Agricultural, livestock export and
earning, economic output and for their ecological services and function. Ethiopia had an
immense ecological diversity and a huge wealth of biological resource. The complex topography
coupled with environmental heterogeneity offers suitable environment for wide of life forms like
variety of pasture species of herbaceous, legumes, brose trees/shrubs (Alemayehu, 2006).
Conservation and use of grass germ palms had made significant contribution to the economic
development of Ethiopia through the national pasture and forage research program (IBCR,
2001). Many of the temperate and tropical pasture and forage crops that had been tested and
grown in Ethiopia had no problem of flowering and setting seed. This provides good opportunity
for the country to establish local seed production in the existing farming system. Seed production
system adapted in the country were farmer contract seed production system, seed production on
ranches, seed production on specialized plot and opportunistic seed production (Alemayehu,
2010).

7
 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1. Description of the Study Area

3.1.1. Location

The study was conducted in Asayta town. Asayta is one of the districts in the Afar region of
Ethiopia. It is located in administrative zone one and bordered by Afambo in the south, Dubti in
the west, Awash River in the north and Djibouti in the East. It is also found in 8 0 49’ and 140 30’
north latitude and 390 34’ and 420 28’ east longitude of respectively and an altitude of 740 m.a.s.l.
Asayta town is located 70 Km away from the regional capital Samara and 640km away from the
national capital city Addis Ababa. The woreda has 11 rural kebeles and 2 town kebeles. About
seven rural kebeles were agro-pastoralist areas. The remaining four are pastoralist kebele totally
dependent on livestock production only.

3.1.2. Climate, population and area coverage

The agro-climate is typically semi-arid with short rain season of 2-3 months duration with an
average annual rainfall of 590mm. The average maximum and minimum temperature of area is
43 oc and 26oc respectively (PARADP, 2007). The total area coverage of the woreda is 285-1678
km2 (WOPARD, 2004).It has a total population of 50,803 of whom 27,284 are men and 23,519
are women. About 95 % of the population is Muslims and 4.6% are orthodox Christians (CSA,
2007).

3.1.3. Land use land cover

In the woreda 3,036 agro-pastoralists are participating in crop cultivation and has an average
land of 1.78 hectare, from the total landmass 71.59% is under cultivation, 1.22% pastureland,
31.06% fallow land and 4.54% is devoted to another land uses. From the cultivated land 66.21%
is covered with cereal crops like maize (AGSE, 2001).

8
3.2. Sampling Techniques and Sample Size

Prior to the actual study, a reconnaissance survey was undertaken to assess the current condition
of the study area. Asayta town is purposively selected for study based on its available livestock
feed resources and livestock production potential. The town has two kebeles and both kebeles
has been selected for sampling. About 20 households from each kebele were selected based the
availability of livestock (livestock ownership) and the total sample size were forty respondents.

3.3. Data Collection Procedure

During data collection different parts of the town mainly participating in livestock production
were considered. The data were collected from primarily and secondary sources. Primary data
were collected using structured questionnaires administered through face to face interviews by
the researchers with the help of enumerators and development agents in a participatory approach.

3.4. Data Analysis

The collected and summarized data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like mean,
percentage, frequency and rank; and presented by using tables.

9
 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1. Household Characteristics

The age of the respondents were stratified into two and educational background into five. From
the total interviewed respondents, 52.5%were found with the age of > 40 and 47.5% were
between 25 and 40. From the total number of respondents 75% were men and 25% were women
and regarding to educational level about 32.5% of the respondents were primary school
completed, 32.5% were religious persons, 30% were illiterate and 2.5% had college diploma and
32.5% respondent’s religious education.

Table 1.Household characteristics

Description Category Number of respondents per kebele
Kebele 1 Kebele2 Frequency Percent (%)
Age 25-40 7 12 19 47.5
>40 13 8 21 52.5
Gender Male 16 14 30 75
Female 4 6 10 25
Educational Illiterate 9 3 12 30
level Primary 5 8 13 32.5
Secondary 0 1 1 2.5
College 0 1 1 2.5
Religious 6 7 13 32.5

4.2. Livestock Production in the study area

The people in the study area kept multiple species including camel, cattle, goats, sheep and
donkey. In the study area small scale livestock production system was the predominant practice
which provided subsistence production for the local society. It provided goods for household
consumption (milk, meat, butter etc.). Live animals were also used in transactions such as
exchange and sources of cash from the market.

As it is indicated in Table2 most of the respondents keep mainly goats, sheep and cattle. The
average number of goats per household per kebele is higher than other livestock groups.
According to respondents keeping of livestock in the study area was mainly for the purpose of
milk, meat, sale of animal, and animal product, carting, and packing purpose. Poultry were
reared for home consumption and market (egg, chicken).

10
Table 2. Composition and average number of livestock in the study area

Livestock Average number of animals per hh in two kebeles

category Kebele1 Kebele2 Total SD
Cattle 1.17 1.125 2.3 +0.87
Sheep 1.17 1.66 2.8 +1.07
Goat 2.4 2.12 4.52 +1.26
Donkey 0.25 0.125 0.38 +0.35
Camel 0.25 0 0.25 +0.35
Horse 0.25 0.425 0.68 +0.35
Poultry 0.75 0.87 1.62 1.01
Where SD= standard deviation

4.3. Livestock Feed Resources

Livestock feed is one of the major inputs to improve the overall performance of livestock in the
study area. According to the respondents the major livestock feed resource in the study area
includes concentrate, industrial by product, improved forage, hay, crop residue, natural pasture,
brows plant and others like household refusals, Attela (Table 3). In the study area during the
rainy season green maize Stover and green grass were the most important feed resource. In the
dry season crop residue, hay, concentrates, and others like household refusals were another
important feed resource Based on the respondent’s perception concentrates and industrial by
products ranked as the major feed resource (77.5%); improved forages (75%) and hay (62.5%)
were ranked as the 2nd and 3rd feed resources in the study area. As it is indicated in Table 3,
natural pasture was ranked as 5th feed resource; this might be due to these natural found away
from the town. But most of the respondents agreed that the main feed resource for rural
pastoralists and agro-pastoralist is the natural pasture. All livestock species depend on naturally
occurring pasture land.

About 35% of respondents revealed that crop residues are the 4 th feed resource; this may be due
to accessibility of the residues in the market and easy to store for long period of time. The
woreda is suitable for cultivation of cereal crops and it is an opportunity for livestock producers
during feed shortage. Maize stover and teff straw are the major types of crop residues produced
in the study area. But in other study (Seyoum,2001);reported the natural pasture grazing, crop
residues ,conserved hay, stubble grazing and non conventional feed was the major feed source
for livestock in Dandi worada of western showa zone Oromia region.
11
Table3: Major livestock feed resources in the study area

Type of feed Rank

st nd rd
1 2 3 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
Concentrate(IBP 77.5 15 5 2.5 - - - -
)
Improved forage 10 75 7.5 5 2.5 - - -
Hay 25 5 62.5 2.5 5 - - -
Crop residue 15 20 12.5 35 7.5 2.5 5 2.5
Natural pasture 7.5 10 12.5 12.5 17.5 15 15 12.5
Enjera refusals 5 7.5 12.5 10 5 27.5 10 22.5
Attela 2.5 7.5 10 15 5 7.5 25 12.5
Browse plant 5 7.5 7.5 12.5 2.5 12.5 2.5 50

Generally the survey shows that about 75% of the produced maize Stover used as feed for
animals and the remaining 25% used for sale. And 95% of the produced teff used for animal feed
and the remaining 5% used for construction purpose (Table 4)

Table 4.Types of crop residues in the study area

Purpose
Types of residues Feed Sale Construction
Maize Stover 75 25 -
Teff straw 95 - 5

4.4. Major Livestock Production Constraints

Based on the perception of respondents; feed shortage was ranked as the major livestock
production constraint and shortage of water and drought were the 2 nd and 3rd livestock production
constraints. Livestock diseases, market problems and shortage of land were also constraints
contributing for reduction of livestock production and productivity in the study area (Table 5).
But according to Zegeye (2005), feed shortage and animal health problem were the constraints
limiting livestock production in Dandi worada west showa zone Oromia.

12
Table 5. Major livestock production constraints ranked by respondents
Constraint Rank
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
Feed shortage 95 5 - - - - - -
Shortage of 12.25 75 7.5 2.5 2.5 - - -
water (rain)
Drought 25 20 30 7.5 5 10 2.5 -
Disease 17.5 12.5 25 37.5 7.5 - - -
Market 37.5 7.5 5 2.5 40 7.5 - -
problem
Shortage of 32.5 15 7.5 5 2.5 35 2.5 -
land
Bush 7.5 7.5 25 2.5 2.5 5 37.5 -
encroachmen
t
Conflict - - - - - 2.5 5 92.5

4.5. Possible Solutions for Livestock Constraints

Livestock owners in the study area use different strategies to cope up from the above listed
livestock production constraints; based on the perception of respondents purchase of animal feed
ranked as the 1stand utilization of improved forages as the 2 ndsolution. Hay conservation, selling
of animals, using of crop residues as animal were also other solutions practiced in the study area
(Table 6).

13
Table 6. Possible solutions for livestock production constraints in the study area

Solution Rank
st nd
1 2 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
Purchase of animal feed 90 7.5 2.5

Improved forage 12.5 75 7.5 5 - - - - -

production
Hay conservation 25 10 62.5 2.5 - - - - -
Selling of animals 27.5 12.5 7.5 52.5 - - - - -
utilization of existing 30 15 10 5 40 - - - -
crop residue
Use of collected feed 22.5 17.5 5 12.5 10 32.5 - - -
Use of fodder tree 2.5 5 10 12.5 15 10 22.5 5 17.5

Based on the respondents idea in Table 6; purchase of concentrate feed were the major possible
solution when compared to others and followed by improved forage production, hay preservation
,sale of animal, utilization of existing crop residues, use of collected feed ,and use of fodder trees
were important option of minimize problem in the study area( table 6). But, in other study
Duncan A. (2012), haylage making, training on improved forage establishment and utilization,
practical training on livestock management, training on animal nutrition and strange the existing
animal health service were another possible solution in Tabor kebele in Hawassa.

4.6. Types of Feed Resources during the Dry and Wet Seasons

In the study area there were many different resources of feed for livestock in both dry and rainy
season (Table 7). The principal feed resources available to livestock in study area include,
natural pasture, hay, crop residue, Concentrate (IBP) and household refusal.

Based on the respondents perception; dairy cattle feed during wet season grass (improved forage)
accounts the highest percentage (15%) and to be the first and the most important feed resource
which was followed by concentrate (IBP), household refusals. Concentrate feed, and household
refusals, Attalla also provide as dairy cattle and other livestock feed during both wet and dry
season. In the dry season the feed resources from hay (16.25%) and concentrate (21.25%) were
the major feed resource during the dry season and crop residue also feed source in dry season.

14
However; the contribution of concentrate compared to other feed resource was very high (See
Table 7).

Table7. Type of feed resource during dry and wet seasons

Type of feed Kebele 1 No. Kebele 2 No. Total Total (%)

Wet Dry responde Wet Dry respond Wet Dry
seaso season nt k1 seas seas ent k2 season season
n on on
Concentrate(IBP) 10 22.5 13 7.5 20 11 8.75 21.25 30
Improved forage 15 5 8 15 7.5 9 15 6.25 21.25
and natural pasture
Hay 2.5 15 7 2.5 17.5 8 2.5 16.25 18.75
Crop residue 7.5 5 5 7.5 7.5 6 7.5 6.25 13.75
Enjera refusals 2.5 5 3 2.5 5 3 2.5 5 7.5
Attela 2.5 5 3 2.5 2.5 2 2.5 3.75 6.25
Browsing plant 2.5 0 1 2.5 2.5 1 2.5 0 2.5

As it is indicated in Table 7; during wet season green grass (Improved forage) accounts the
highest percentage (15%) and to be first and the most important feed resource in the wet season
than other feed types. From the above table7 as we compare the two kebele, there was little hay
in wet season in kebele one but in kebele two approximately 16.25% of hay present and give for
the animal. Concentrate in dry season was very higher in both town but it was medium in wet
season. In dry season hay was next higher in both town but some amount greater in kebele two
than kebele one. From the above Table 7, concentrate feed like (wheat bran, fagulo (noug cake),
and urea molasses play a great role for livestock feed in the study area. In kebele one improved
forage grass were the feed source in wet season it was also used in kebele two .Browse plants
was little one of the feed resource in the town in both wet and dry season of the study area.

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Table8.Source of purchased feed

Feed source Frequency %of Frequency %of

respondent in respondent in
kebele 1 kebele 2
Market 8 20 7 17.5
Neighbor farmer 4 10 6 15
Rural kebele 3 7.5 4 10
Based on the perception of respondents, in Asayta town livestock feeds were purchased from
nearby agro-pastoralist, animal feed shop (agricultural office), and markets and also other rural
kebele seen (Table 8).As indicates the above table that the highest percents of respondents get
feed from market in two kebele then followed by others. Therefore; this entire feed source was
the important feed gaining way for livestock owners in study area.

4.7. Supplementary Feeds during Critical Feed Shortage

In the study area, most livestock owners interviewed had an experience of supplementation to
their animals during the critical feed shortage time. Of these supplementary feeds concentrates,
Attalla and household refusals like Enjera etc are the main types of feeds provided for livestock
during critical feed shortage (Table 9).

Table 9.Main supplementary feeds during critical feed shortage

No. supplementary feeds in two kebele Number of %

respondent
1 Concentrate 23 57.5
2 Attalla 8 20
3 Enjera refusals 9 22.5

Based on the above table; concentrate feed supplementation in two Kebele were the highest
percent supply for animals in the study area. Therefore supplementary feed was important for
livestock feed source during feed scarce period.

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4.8. Feeding System (Feeding Strategies)

In the study area most of livestock owners feed their animals in group by contributing different
feed types. Crop residues and hay are provided for dairy cattle and goats in group by being
together and by the help of the herder. But, concentrates and agro-industrial by products like
molasses are given for animals individually. And also individually, especially for dairy cattle
and, goats crop residue, hay and grass in group and also concentrate and agro industrial by
products (example urea molasses) supply individual. Goat and sheep feed on grass, hay,
concentrate, agro industrial by product additionally Chat, and household refusals (like Enjera,
Attela etc). Camels for supply browse plant, grass, and urea molasses. Chicken for supply were
maize, wheat, Brocken maize \wheat mixture, spoiled grain and food left over supplied by group.
Livestock owners in the study area follow different feeding strategies depending the presence or
absence of feed resource (Table 10).

Table10. Livestock feeding system

Feeding system Kebele 1 Kebele 2

Frequency % Frequency % %Total
Cut and carry 5 12.5 4 10 22.5
Grazing 1 2.5 2 5 7.5
Hay 4 10 4 10 20
Concentrate feeding 6 15 7 17.5 32.5
By chopping 4 10 3 7.5 17.5

As it is indicated in the table above; there was different feeding systems on the two kebele; such
as 22.5% were cut and carry system, 7.5% were grazing, 20% were hay feeding, 32.5% were
concentrate feeding and 17.5% were chopped feed feeding. When we compare the two kebele,
concentrate feeding was more in kebele one. In kebele one cut and carry and improved forage
feeding were more than kebele two. Therefore livestock feeding system was important for
livestock in order to wise use of resource, easily keep our livestock and easily pass feed scarce.
But, in other study (Tolera et al., 2012) report the natural pasture, crop residue and maize straw
the major feed resources during the wet season. However crop residue and after math grazing
were the major feed resource for dry season in Adamitulu worada of east show zone Oromia
region.

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 5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1. Conclusion

Generally, this study showed that the major available livestock feed resources in the study areas
were concentrate (IBP), improved forage, hay, crop residues and natural pasture, household
refusals, Attela and browse plant. The livestock production system in the area is small scale type
and there are many constraints for livestock production. Feed shortage, water shortage, drought,
livestock disease, market problem, shortage of land, bush encroachments and conflict are the
main constraints faced by livestock producers. Therefore there were many possible solutions for
livestock production system in the study area. Purchase of animal feed, improved forage
production, hay conservation, selling of animal, utilization of existing crop residue, use of
collected feed and use of fodder tree were examples of livestock possible solution in study area.

5.2. Recommendations

Based on the results obtained the researchers recommend the following:

 Livestock owners should be aware of how to keep their animals by considering available
feed resources.
 Livestock owners should store (conserve) feed in the form of hay and crop residues
 Agro-pastoralists should get trainings on improved forage development, utilization and
conservation methods.
 When there is high feed scarce in the area livestock owners should reduce the number of
animals.
 Livestock owners should get practical training on livestock management and feeding.
 Governmental and non-governmental organizations should do more on animal nutrition
improvement, water resources and veterinary services; and livestock owners should form
cooperatives and participate in livestock feed production.

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Birhanu Teferra, Shiferaw Bekele and Kahsay Belete, 2009. The major feed resources in
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 7. QUESTIONNAIRES
I. General information

1. Name of respondent: ____wored:__________kebele:___________Date of interview: _______

Gender: _________ Age: _____________ (A .25-40 B. >40)

2. Educational levels

A. Illiterate B. Primary C .Secondary D. College E. Religious F. Others (specify)

II. Livestock Production and Feed Resource

3. Do you have livestock?

A. Yes B. No

4. What are your current farming systems?

A. Livestock rearing (small scale, large-scale) B. Crop production C. Both. D others

5. Farming system 10 years before?

A. Livestock rearing B. Crop cultivation C. Both

6. What kind of livestock do you have?

Type of animal Number Where do you keep?

Cattle
Sheep
Goat
Donkey
Camel
Horse
Poultry
Total

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7. What are the major livestock feed resource in your area?

Type of feed Rank Where do you get

Natural pasture
Improved fodder
Browse plant
Crop residues
Concentrates(IBP)
Others

8. Major livestock production constraints in the area

Constraints Rank Remark

Feed shortage
Disease
Shortage of water
Market problem
Conflict

9. What are the possible solutions for livestock production constrains

Solution Rank Remark

Intensive fodder production
Herd mobility
Use of collected feed
Sale of animals
Use of fodder trees
Purchase of animal feed

10. What types of production system use?

A. Pastoral system C. both

B. small - scale D. Others,

11. What type of feed do you provide for your animals?

Cattle: ______________ Donkey: __________ Poultry: _________

Sheep: ___________________ Camel: ___________

Goat: __________________ Horse: ___________

12. From where do you get the feed?

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A. Market B. Factories, Rural area D. Other E.All

13. Which type of feed is available in your area?

A. During dry season: __________________

B. During rainy season: ___________________

14. During the period of critical feed shortage; what you are going to supplement?

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________

15. At what time do you face this shortage (in month?).

Causes: _________________________________________________

Consequences: ____________________________________________

Solution (possible measure): __________________________________

16. Do you use agro-industrial by product?

A. Yes B .No

17. If yes mention them: _________________________________________

18. From where do you get? _____________________________________

19. For which class of animals do you feed?

A. cattle D. Donkey G. Poultry

B. Sheep E .Camel

C. Goat F. Horse

20. Do you conserve feed for dry season? A. Yes B. No

21. If yes, what type of feed do you conserve? and how? _________________________

22. Method of feeding?

A. Grazing D. Concentrate feeding

B. By cut and carry (fresh) E. Improved forage

C. Hay F. All

23. If you have other additional ideas related to livestock production and feed resource?

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