Farm

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy

Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental
Health and Proposed Solutions

November 2023

KABIRIZI JOLLY M. L. (PhD-Animal science)

/Smallholder dairy cattle farmer
Kyakuwa Farm, Seguku Cell 4,
Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council,
Wakiso District, Kampala-Entebbe Road,
P. O. Box 31153, Kampala, Uganda;
Tel No.: +256 777912716; E-mail: jmkabirizi@gmail.com;
Website: <http://www.jollykabirizi.com
 Table of contents
Contents Page
Introduction 3
Negative effects of zero grazing dairy farming on the environment 3
Proposed Solutions 7
References 25
2

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
Introduction
Reducing malnutrition among children
and pregnant mothers is a challenge
to many development workers. One
of the approaches is to improve
production and increase availability of
milk. With the ever-increasing human
population, however, land holding
per household is on the decline and,
therefore, conventional dairy production
is becoming more difficult. This is
particularly so in urban and peri-urban
settings, where families need milk not
only for domestic consumption, but
Negative effects of zero grazing dairy farming on the
environment
1. Loss Of Local Cattle Breeds and
Genetic Diversity
The local cattle breeds such as Ankole
have been increasingly crossbred with
high yielding cattle breeds, especially
of the Holstein-Friesian to boost milk
production. Among the disadvantages
of cross-breeding is that the natural
traits of the parents are not completely
transferred to the offspring’s rather,
it is shared. For instance: a cow with
good milk production cross-bred with
the one having good meat production
will result in an offspring that will have
both good meat and good milk but will
not be as pure as those of the parents.
Also, if adequate care is not taken and a
bigger male is used in mating a female
with smaller size, foetal oversize may
occur which may result to inability of
the female to deliver on her own. This
could be a disadvantage because of the
risk involved and the cost of caesarian
operation if it has to be carried out.
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
also income generation. This scarcity of
farmland calls for highly intensive dairy
farming system to increase efficiency
of land utilization, thus the zero grazing
system. In this system cattle do not
graze but are rather confined in a shed or
stall where feed and water are brought to
them.
This article describes the hidden effects
of zero grazing dairy cattle farming on
public and environmental health and
proposed solutions.
2. Leakage of Antibiotics into the
Environment
The focus on crossbreeding and
increasing the productivity of dairy
cattle results in increased use of agro-
chemicals, mainly antibiotics and
anti-parasitic drugs. The residues
of these agro-chemicals come into
the environment, affecting natural
processes and soil life. Public health is
also affected due to residues in milk and
meat, especially in countries like Uganda
with insufficient food quality controls.
There is also evidence of a rise in multi-
resistant microbes due to the extensive
and inappropriate use of antibiotics
and acaricides. The use of antibiotics
and acaricides in animal production
is a global issue and is not confined to
Uganda. 3
3. Changes in Pasture Management
The extent to which biodiversity and the
quality of the pasture can be threatened
 depends on the nature of the production
system. In zero grazing system where the
focus is on high milk production, it has
led to a huge impact on the environment.
Zero grazing dairy cattle system requires
high yielding pasture grasses such as
Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum).
Inorganic fertilizers are used to produce
high amounts of fresh fodder, hay and
silage for the cows, as well as manure
mixed with urine that is injected into the
soil. Manure application has both positive
and negative impact on the soil life,
while excess nitrogen and phosphorus
from the manure has caused pollution
of ground water and soil. Applying too
much manure, at the wrong time, or
improperly handling it in other ways
releases nutrients into the air or into
ground or surface waters. Thus, instead
of nourishing crops, nutrients become
pollutants. Excess nitrogen can leach
through soil into groundwater.
4. Harvesting Forages
Harvesting or cutting forages for stall-
fed cows reduces the usefulness,
productivity and biodiversity of
the land and is one cause
of desertification and erosion. It is also
seen as a cause of the spread of invasive
species and of weeds. Monocultures of
highly productive grasses such as Napier
grass have a negative impact on both
plant, soils and animal biodiversity. Since
Napier grass grows fast, early harvesting
is possible, which makes farmland
birds more vulnerable to predators and
removes the food on which chicks that
feed on insects depend. Napier takes
4 up a lot of nutrients from the soils and
is highly demanding on nutrients, water
and manure. It is also vulnerable to
diseases like the Napier stunt and Napier
smut diseases.
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
5. Environmental Impacts of
Concentrate Feeds Production
The potential environmental impacts
of production of concentrate feeds
include impacts on various stages
of crop production and processing
of feeds. Potential impacts of crop
production, and the expansion of
production, include effects on land-
use (including deforestation, change
in amenity value of land, change of
habitats and impacts on biodiversity);
direct effects of cropping on soils (soil
erosion and fertility), water (use of water
resources and impacts on run-off and
drainage waters), and air (air quality and
greenhouse gas production); and indirect
effects of the production and supply
of inputs to agriculture (mechanisation,
fuels, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.).
The utilization of feed concentrates has
wider positive environmental impacts
that should be noted. These include
the impacts of the greater efficiency
of overall feed use which concentrate
feeding may promote, such as allowing
better use of poor-quality waste and
roughage feeds (cereal straws and
stovers, crop processing wastes), some
of which might otherwise be wasted, and
reducing methane outputs per unit of
product from ruminant animals.
6. Manure Accumulation
Smallholder farmers keeping improved
dairy cattle under zero grazing system
within or near major urban areas
experience the problem of accumulation
and disposal of manure. The stench
and flies associated with manure that
is not properly disposed of is a serious
environmental concern for residents in
the same neighbourhood. Concentrating
the population of cows in one place by
having excessively large herds means
millions of litres of slurry to dispose of,
enormous amounts of greenhouse gases
Improper disposal of cow manure
Cattle are known to produce methane,
one of the greenhouse gases with
adverse environmental effects owing
to their role in global warming. Manure
contamination can increase nitrate
levels in ground water and cause
bacterial contamination and fish kills in
surface waters. Excess phosphorus can
be contained in erosion or runoff from
fields and accumulate in surface water
impoundments such as ponds and lakes.
7. Plastic Waste
Zero grazing dairy enterprise is adversely
affected by negative environmental
impacts created by other human/natural
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
contributing to climate change, water
pollution, disease spread and ammonia
damage to wildlife.
activities. Intensive smallholder dairy
farms continue to suffer the effect of
poor disposal of polythene bags used to
carry groceries from markets and shops.
Many dairy cows and heifers have been
diagnosed with plastic waste in their
stomachs after suffering severe health
complications, which often culminate in
death of valuable dairy animals. Milking
cows consuming plastic waste routinely
gradually start to yield less milk. The
presence of plastic materials in rumen 5
interfere the absorption of fatty acids
in rumen of the cattle. Thereby, plastic
foreign bodies might disturb the rate of
milk yield.
 8. Hardware Disease
Hardware disease is produced by a sharp
object that pierces the stomach wall
and gains access to the heart. A sharp
object, such as a nail or piece of wire,
may perforate into the heart sac. The
object lies originally in a chamber of the
stomach known as the reticulum. The
reticulum “catches” all heavy objects
that are ingested; feed and lighter
material pass back into the rumen. When
muscles contract, the “hardware” may be
forced through the wall of the reticulum,
diaphragm and heart sac. You may
notice that the cow has a poor appetite,
is somewhat depressed, and is reluctant
to move. Cattle seem to have indigestion
and show signs of pain when defecating.
If perforation of the heart has occurred,
fluid, due to infection, may accumulate
around the heart and produce abnormal
heart sounds. The brisket may be quite
flabby due to a large amount of fluid in
it. The cow may also be bloated. These
symptoms may subside or disappear
within one to seven days, but may
reoccur shortly afterwards.
If the cow is slaughtered and the
reticulum and heart carefully examined,
it may be possible to find a nail or wire
protruding through the wall of the
reticulum into the heart. However, the
hardware may have been completely
digested over a period of months and
thus not be present.
9. Effect of Zero Grazing System on
Animal Health and Welfare
Zero grazing has resulted into increased
6
levels of lameness/poorer foot health,
hoof problems, teat tramp, mastitis,
dystocia, ketosis, retained placenta and
bacterial infections in cows with limited
or no access to pasture. The increased
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
levels of lameness observed in confined
cows are likely due to the effects
of concrete flooring on hooves, or
increased contact between hooves and
slurry. Cows under zero grazing system
are at increased risk of uterine disease
(metritis and endometritis), becoming
a downer cow, and of certain infectious
diseases (e.g. salmonellosis). In contrast,
cows in grazing systems are at increased
risk of nematode gut parasites and liver
fluke.
10. Effect of Zero Grazing System on
Animal Fertility
Artificial insemination (AI) is a very useful
technology for improving the genetic
potential of dairy cattle breeds under
zero grazing system. However, many
dairy farmers are not able to access and
utilise AI owing to lack of trained service
providers in their areas. In areas where
the service is readily accessible, the
technology is thought to be inefficient
because many animals are inseminated
several times before conception and the
price is also considered to be high. Poor
herd management and heat detection
on farms as well as incorrect handling of
semen by AI technicians result in poor
pregnancy.
11. Effect of Zero Grazing System on
Family Labour
Zero grazing system require high labour
and capital for fodder establishment,
construction, equipment and buying
quality cows. The feed and water must
be taken to the cow in the shed. The time
required to carry out daily zero-grazing
activities, both for the farm and on
single animal basis, exceed the normal
man-day (8 work hours). This shows that
at least two persons are required (full
time) to provide labour on the farm even
when the farm has only one animal. The
dependence on family labour observed
on many farms is expected because
some farmers are generally poor people
who cannot afford hired labour Also,
zero grazing is generally a part time
occupation, with members of the family
providing labour before they leave to
Proposed Solutions
Every zero grazer can play a role
in protecting the future of their
dairy cattle enterprise by adopting
management practices that enhance
the environmental sustainability of their
farming system. Some of the suggested
dairy management practices are
described below:
1. Awareness and Policy
There is a need to increase awareness
among researchers, policymakers,
and Non-Government Organization
(NGO’s) about the need to improve milk
quantity together with milk quality.
Raise consciousness about the link
between dairy production methods
and milk quality. Provide information
on the current levels of residues from
antibiotics and other agro-chemicals in
dairy products, as well as their risk on
human and environmental health.
Reconsider or establish policies related
to the free sale of antibiotics and other
agro-chemicals, establish a rigorous
control system for residues in products
of animal origin.
Facilitate dairy chains that include milk
quality control on residues, and pay
farmers a better price for residue-free
milk.
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
tend to their main occupations. The
extra members of the families can also
be considered as a potential reserve
human resource maintained on the farm
unit for providing extra work hours into
zero-grazing in order to meet high labour
requirements demanded by the system.
2. Improved Animal and Farm
Management
There is a need to boost dairy production
mainly through improved animal
management, including improved
feeding, water, housing practices,
and parasite control. Strengthen farm
management environmental health by
effective manure management, soil
fertility and closing mineral (Nitrogen
and Phosphorus) cycles.
3. Ethno Veterinary Medicine
Revitalize traditional knowledge on
herbal medicine, train veterinarians
and farmers, and develop scientific
substantiation on remedies and
practices concerning herbal medicine
in dairy farming, gradually replacing
antibiotics and other agro-chemicals
with herbal products.
4. Strategic Use of Local Breeds
Genetic improvement of the local (dual
purpose) cattle breeds with respect
to milk production through selection,
rather than crossbreeding them with
exotic breeds such as Friesians. Though 7
this process takes longer, it is more
sustainable. Controlled crossbreeding
under selected conditions, using
 innovative breeding strategies, such as
three-way crosses.
When continued crossbreeding has
led to animals ill-adapted to local
conditions, crossbreed the cows back
with a local cattle breed. This can
increase their adaptation to the climate
and environment.
5. Dairy Chain
Government should establish milk quality
control systems for residues in milk that
are adapted to the existing (smallholder
or pastoral) dairy system and preference
pricing system for residue-free milk.
6. Proper Disposal of Cattle Manure
Environmentally friendly management of
cattle manure should be an integral part
of efforts to improve the sustainability
of zero grazing dairy cattle enterprise
because all the stages involved are inter
related implying that one affects the
other for example, land application of
cow manures for fertilization of the crops
and pastures and for improvement or
maintenance of soil fertility is the most
suitable method of manure utilization.
Manure contains high content of organic
matter and minerals which improve soil
fertility therefore improves food and
forage crops yields and is a source of
material for biogas production. Cover the
manure pit to prevent nitrogen losses.
One cow can produce up to 20 tons of
compost per year depending on the
breed, feeds and management.
On a dairy farm, manure is a natural
8 fertilizer that enriches the soil and
increases its water holding capacity.
Spreading manure on the field decreases
a farm’s need for synthetic fertilizers and
reduces the use of groundwater to grow
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
crops. In a sense, cows are their own
recyclers – while one cow eats about
2.5 acres of forage per year, its manure
provides the fertilizer for that land.
Waste storage areas such as manure
heaps, slurry stores and farm dumps,
should be sited appropriately,
considering the local amenity with
regard to sight and smell, and the risk
to the environment from pollution and
vermin. Regularly inspect permanent
slurry stores and manure heaps for signs
of leaks and impending structural failure
to minimize the risk of runoff polluting
the environment. Develop a simple
waste management plan to identify
when, where and at what rate to spread
manures, slurry and other organic wastes
to minimize the risk of causing pollution.
Manure can be dried in a simple solar
drier and packed for sale.
Open-air thin-layer solar drying and
thermal drying using solar dryers are two
common methods to dry animal manure.
In solar drying, air is ventilated through
small holes at the top of the dryer. The air
inside the dryer gets warm and removes
the moisture from the manure.
Cow dung is utilized in the production of
bathing soaps, face creams, toothpaste,
shampoos, and various other products
designed to enhance people’s well-being
and self-confidence.
During the production of biogas, some
residue of cow manure remains. Instead
of the typical use of sawdust, this cow
manure residue is employed to create
fibreboard. The fibre-containing cow
manure is first sterilized, after which
resin is mixed with the sterilized cow
manure to produce the fibreboard. This
versatile material finds application in
construction and furniture production.
Some Value Added Products From Cow Dung
Product
1. Fertilizer
2. Source of fuel
3. Building material
4. Insect repellent
5. Disinfectant
6. Livestock feed
7. Cow dung paper-making
process
8. Cow dung beauty products •
7. Control Flies in A Zero Grazing Unit
Farm flies are a nuisance to animals and
humans and they come in many types –
stable fly, horn flies, face flies and biting
flies among others. They not only bite
animals but can also bite people on the
farm. Normally these flies feed on blood
and some in the process spread diseases
from one animal to another. Other flies
for example tsetse flies spread the fatal
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
Method of Use
• Provides nutrients for healthy plant growth
• Briquettes, biogas & dry cow cakes
• Plastering walls of houses
• Cow dung mixed with clay soil makes good
blocks
• Burning dry cow dung cakes repels insects and
mosquitoes.
• Coating the floor with a paste of fresh cow
dung serves as a disinfectant.
• Sanitizer
• Maggots reared on cow manure for feed
• Cow dung paper pulp is used to produce
common paper, including industrial packing
paper. Through a mechanized process
involving pulping, material washing, steaming,
and dewatering, the cow dung paper pulp is
obtained.
Cow dung is utilized in the production of
bathing soaps, face creams, toothpaste,
shampoos, and various other products
designed to enhance people’s well-being and
self-confidence. Although currently considered
niche and vanity products, it is only a matter
of time before these cow-dung-based beauty
products become household staples.
nagana disease in animals and sleeping
sickness in human beings. Face fly
spread pinkeye disease in cows. Below
are some strategies that a farmer can 9
employ to reduce the population of such
flies on the farm and therefore minimise
disturbance to the animals.
 (a) Locate the Source of Flies
The First step in house fly control is
exclusion and sanitation. After these
measures, you can use insecticides that
come in residual forms, aerosols, fogging
materials, and baiting forms.
Locating manure pits away from the
animal houses can help in diverting their
attention on animals. Use of vertical piles
with a crust at the top makes manure
unfavourable for flies and reduces their
population. Spreading the manure waste
in thin layers also makes it unfavourable
to flies.
(b) Keep the House Clean and Dry
Flies have a liking for dirty and wet
environments. When the milking parlour
is dirty and wet, it will attract flies which
will end up biting the animals. Keeping
the animal unit clean keeps away the
flies.
(c) Fly Traps
There are several types of fly traps in
the market, some work through colour
attractants and others through odours.
Others have sticky surfaces that trap
insects that land on them – this have been
used in tsetse fly control. The traps can
be hanged inside the dairy unit or near
fly breeding grounds. When using such
traps, carefully read the manufacturer’s
directions on how to use.
Use yellow sticky traps to trap/monitor
most pests. (Includes whiteflies, fungus
gnats, shore flies, thrips, winged aphids,
leaf miners, scales, and many others).
10 But be aware they may inadvertently
capture parasitic wasps, midges, and
beetles. Use with care. Reduce hang-
duration if needed, just be consistent.
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
Yellow sticky insect card
Sticky cards are available at the
Holland GreenTech Uganda, Muyenga
(0706230892) andTask Farm, Rubaga
(0788500968).
(d) Chemical Control
Pour-on have long lasting effects once
applied on the backline of the animal.
The insecticides when sprayed on
animals kill by contact. Care should be
taken when using chemical control to
avoid contamination of feeds and milk.
(e) Use Diatomaceous Earth Feed
Additive to Improve Livestock
Production and Maintain a Clean
Environment
Diatomaceous Earth Feed Grade
is a naturally occurring silicon rich
sedimentary rock made of fossilised
remains of hard shelled pant algae. It
is a 100% organic and natural highly
effective feed mineral supplement for
livestock. Diatomaceous contains 15
mineral trace elements such as silicon,
calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, and
many other trace minerals.
 Diatomaceous Earth Feed Grade
This attribute makes diatomaceous very
useful. Diatomaceous earth feed grade
is a valuable mineral for agriculturists
to improve farm life for animals and
livestock. This unique mineral has a
high porosity/, is organic, and has an
impressive absorptive capacity. Food
grade Diatomaceous earth fed to animals
passes through the digestive system
and is present in the animal’s manure.
This has a two-way direct impact on
controlling flies and other insects.
Other benefits of Diatomaceous
Feed Supplement:
When Diatomaceous earth is used as a
regular feed supplement, the following
benefits are observed on the animal:
improved health and body condition;
improved production and reproduction;
decreased infant mortality; veterinary
bills are significantly reduced and;
increased household income.
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
• Flies that land on the stool will be
affected in much the same way as
internal parasites. The diatoms
present in the stool will pierce the
outer layer of the fly/insect which
will result in its death.
• If a fly lands on the animal’s stool
and lays eggs, the Diatomaceous
earth in the stool will pierce the
outer layer of the larvae which will
result in its death.
Aflatoxin Binder:
Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites
and a class of mycotoxins produced
predominantly by Aspergillus flavus and 11
A. parasitic us. The term “mycotoxin”
is derived from “mykes’ ‘ meaning fungi
and “toxin” meaning poison which are
produced by moulds. The toxin occurs in
feeds and feedstuffs resulting into severe
 economic loss to livestock industries in
Uganda. Consumption of foods including
meat and milk contaminated with
aflatoxin is a risk factor for primary liver
cancer. Diatomaceous earth has a very
high negative charge. It is easy to attach
to the harmful substances such as
toxins/aflatoxins, viruses, heavy metals,
bacteria, and even to the radiation in
the body and carries them out of it. This
makes it very useful in any detoxification
program.
Accelerated Growth and Development:
Diatomaceous earth stimulates the
metabolism of minerals, increases
protein digestion and increases the
amount of feed exposed to the digestive
processes thereby increasing the
amount of feed utilised by the animal.
Controls Internal Parasites:
Diatomaceous Earth’s method of
parasite control is strictly mechanical
and as a result the parasites cannot
adapt, develop resistance or become
immune. The microscopic edges of the
diatoms pierce the outer structure of
the parasite which then dies and passes
harmless. However, it doesn’t remove all
types of Worms like lung worms.
Improves Weight Gain and Feed
Conversion:
As a feed supplement, food grade
Diatomaceous earth stimulates the
basic metabolism, including the
metabolism of minerals, and increases
protein digestion. Diatomaceous earth
as a feed supplement also act as an anti-
caking agent which prevents clumping of
feed particles and increases the surface
12
area of feed exposed to the bacterial and
enzymatic digestive processes thereby
increasing the amount of feed actually
digested and utilised, improves bone
growth and strength.
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
The recommended ratio for mixing
Fine Diatomaceous Earth into your
cattle’s feed is 2-5% of the weight of
your cow’s feed that they receive either
in addition to or instead of grazing.
Diatomaceous Earth can be obtained
from: Family Capital Partners, Jinja,
Tel: +256753476876/787117707 and
Kiwebwa Mixed Farm, Kapeeka, Semuto
Road; Tel: +256 751 627759.
(f) Use of Indigenous Microorganisms
Indigenous Microorganisms (IMOs)-
based technology is one such great
technology that is applied for the
extraction of minerals, enhancement
of agriculture and waste management.
Indigenous Microorganisms are a group
of natural microbial consortium that
inhabits the soil and the surfaces of all
living things inside and outside which
have the potentiality in bio-degradation,
bio-leaching, bio-composting, nitrogen
fixation, improving soil fertility and as
well in the production of plant growth
hormones. Without these microbes, the
life will be miserable on this lively planet
for the survival of human race.
How to Make Indigenous Microorganism
(IMO)
The idea here is to collect microbes from
natural healthy ecosystems. By making
your own IMO, you can free yourself of
buying costly harmful chemicals and
make a lot of savings while maintaining
good bacteria in your area. Different
areas have different types of microbes
in the soil. For example, an old forest will
have microbes that grasslands do not
have and vice versa. To get the greatest
diversity of microbes, you want to collect
them from as many different habitats as
you can. For starters, at least get from
forest, grassland, and the boundary area
between them. The basic supplies for 4. Cover the container completely with
microbe culturing are: cloth or paper, fixed in place with
• A clean clay pot (hard-fired) a rubber band, to prevent water or
• A wooden spoon small insects from getting in.
• White paper towels 5. Put the covered container, protected
• Rubber bands from possible rain, under the trees,
• A large clear bowl, big enough to hold in a bamboo grove, a forest floor, or
contents of rice mixture wherever a thick mat of leaves has
• A small food scale formed. Leave it there for three days.
• A straw mat Place the box in the depression and
• A shovel loosely cover with the dirt and leaves
• A composting thermometer around it.
• Raw, granulated brown sugar
6. After 5-10 days (depending on
• Wheat or maize bran
temperature), the first colony of
1. Cook a kilo of rice, barley, wheat or microbes you will notice are white
oats. moulds. Then different colours like
2. Get a wooden box or perforated yellow, green, black, etc. if you leave
plastic box and fill bottom with rice. it much longer. Generally, we harvest
The rice should not be too deep, when it is in the white mould stage.
around 1 inch usually; otherwise it Disregard rice if black moulds have
will take too long for all the rice to formed on it, this is generally a sign
become infected. Do not pack the of non-beneficial microbes. In nature
rice; leave it loose to allow airflow. when there is plenty of food the
The whole idea is to create more beneficial microbes dominate. When
space for the microbes to infect – the there is less food, the opportunistic,
surface area of the rice. non-beneficial microbes tend to
dominate.
3. Mark side of box with date and
intended location.

13

Indigenous
Microorganism

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
 7. At this time, remove container from
habitat and transfer rice to a plastic
container/jar, and mix with sugar.
Mix 1:1 with sugar e.g. 1kg cooked rice
with 1kg sugar/molasses (molasses
is great and cheap)
8. Mash up the mixture with gloved
fingers until it’s mashed but do not
over mix or you’ll destroy all the
mycelia
9. Cover this mixture for 3-7 days.
10. When it is quite liquid, add 3 parts
water.
11. Leave this diluted mixture for 7
days. Cover the top with something
air permeable just so animals don’t
get to it – cheese cloth, nylons,
newspaper, etc
12. You should end up with a mud-like
juice. Strain the liquid out of the
mixture into a glass jar but don’t seal
the top – let it breathe until bubbles
in the bottom stop forming.
13. After you stop seeing bubbles
forming in the jar, seal it up
14. Now you have your microbial
inoculants for that ecosystem
15. Repeat the above steps for each area
you are collecting microbes from.
The more ecosystems you collect
from, the better.
To make the final beneficial IMO product,
combine all your microbial extracts.
How to use indigenous microorganism
(IMO)
This is a powerful tool in the natural
14 farming, with a myriad of applications.
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
It’s a microbial inoculant, so it can be
used wherever you are trying to increase/
establish populations of microbes – the
most basic level of a healthy ecosystem.
Add 1-2 teaspoon per 4 litres of water.
Livestock
• Boosts growth by enhancing
digestion
• Inoculate farmyard (spray ground)
where animals occupy to maintain
healthy microbial system.
• Aids disease resistance. Fights the
bad bacteria
Benefits from the microbes
• Microbes digest fish wastes, cleaning
up water and improving water quality.
• Allows fish to grow larger due to
digestive efficiency
• Allows higher population of fish in
the same amount of water. Literally,
increases the carrying capacity of
your body of water. This is awesome
for aquaculture set-ups.
(g) Generating Renewable Energy From
Cow Dung
We usually associate greenhouse
gases with carbon dioxide – but
methane is actually more damaging
to the atmosphere. Cattle are
significant producers of methane. New
technologies enable dairy farmers to
use environmentally harmful gases, like
methane from manure, as a renewable
energy source. Anaerobic manure
digesters convert manure into biogas,
which generates energy, reduces feedlot
odour and lowers greenhouse gas
emissions.
 Biogas plants
Biogas can be produced from raw
materials such as agricultural waste,
manure, sewage, green waste or food
waste. It is a renewable energy source
and, in many cases, exerts a very small
carbon footprint. Biogas is obtained from
cow dung and urine collected in a pit.
The pit should be completely covered.
The biogas is then collected and passed
through tubes to where it is going to be
used as a source of fuel or for lighting
the house. The manure produced from 3
cows is sufficient to produce the amount
of gas needed for cooking and lighting in
the farm.
(h) Turning Cow Dung into Charcoal
Briquette
Briquettes are compressed blocks of
coal or charcoal that burn under fire.
They are an excellent way to utilise the
smashed pieces of charcoal dust which
is usually thrown away. Briquettes burn
longer than charcoal and therefore,
will reduce the amount of charcoal
a household uses. Briquettes help
conserve the environment because they
burn for an average of two hours and
a half compared to the 45 minutes of
charcoal.
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
Requirements for making charcoal
briquettes from cow dung
• Overall,
• Black plastic gloves,
• Mask,
• Covered shoes/boots.
• Cow dung; poultry litter; anthill, loam
or clay soil,
• Stick/rod to turn the material,
• Water,
• A place to mix your material,
• Briquette press and,
• A place to dry your briquette
How to make charcoal briquettes from
cow dung
• Sieve charcoal dust to free it from
any impurity.
• Crush charcoal dust into fine
powder.
• Get fresh cow dung and remove all
grass in the dung to avoid smoke
when using the briquettes.
• Mix fresh cow dung with charcoal
powder and very little water in
a ratio of 1:3: 0.5 (cow dung to 15
charcoal dust to water).
• Put the material inside a briquette
mould, hit 2 or 3 times and remove
or make balls. You can mould the
mixture into small round balls.
 Cow dung briquettes at Kyakuwa Farm

• Remove the briquettes and dry under a well-ventilated room. Drying briquettes
on the ground slows down the process as some pieces receive low amounts of
sunlight. Spreading briquettes on roof tops speeds up the drying process, but
results in breakages. Briquettes dry in less than 4 days during the dry season and
take twice as long during the wet season.

16

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
 How to use the briquettes
• Light your charcoal stove with a
little charcoal.
• When the charcoal has lit up, add
the briquettes.
Benefits of briquettes
• Briquettes are a clean cooking fuel
that helps keep the environment
safe and does not damage one’s
health since they are smokeless.
• Briquettes reduce household
indoor air pollution with carbon
monoxide and fine.
• Briquettes made of cow dung and
charcoal dust burn for over four
hours, compared to two and a half
hours for regular charcoal.
• Briquettes emit neither smell nor
sparks.
• Briquettes leave no soot on
saucepans.
• Briquette production is a profitable
business for the youth since
materials used to make them are
locally available and the demand
for charcoal is high.
8. Prevention of Hardware Disease
Using magnets in the reticulum has
become a popular preventive routine for
hardware disease, especially in the dairy
breeds. The magnet is administered
much like a large bolus or pill, with a
stomach tube or balling gun. The magnet
keeps foreign metallic objects adhered
together in a ball, reducing the chances
of penetrating the reticulum. Of course,
the best preventive measure is keeping
feed bunks, pastures, cow lots, etc., free
of potentially hazardous objects.
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
9. What to do When Your Animal Eats
Discarded Plastic Material
There are no drugs for destroying plastic
bags while in the animals’ stomach.
Luckily, some people have successfully
used laxatives like high quantities of
mineral oils, given to the animal to help
breakdown solid materials and smoothen
plastic to increase chances of slippery
passage.
10. Water Harvesting
Water harvesting is the collection and
concentration of rainwater for the
production of crops, pasture or trees,
for livestock or domestic water supply or
for other productive purposes. Roof top
rainwater harvesting involves collecting
rainwater from roofs to storage tanks
using gutters located at the edges of
the roofs. A simple water harvesting and
storage system involves the following
activities.
Construction of an Underground
Rainwater Harvesting Tank
(a) Digging a pit—the size of a pit will
depend on the capacity of your
tank.
(b) Excavated reservoirs can be lined
with either a tarpauline of a dam
liner. In Uganda, good and genuine
dam liners can be obtained from
Balton (U) Ltd., Industrial area.
17
 (a) (b)

(c) Roofing is done using iron sheets.

(d) Construct a small wall around the tank to prevent soil erosion entering the tank.

(c) (d)

Tank measurements with a capacity of Open Surface Rain Water Tanks

about 35,000 litres of water have the
following measurements:
• Tank dimensions (6 x 3 x 1.5meters)
• Tank capacity: 24-27 cubic meters
18 • Roof catchment (5 x 10 = 50 square
meters
Plastic tanks can be used to store water
but they are very expensive.
In areas where good water quality
is needed for domestic and animal
consumption but the roof catchment is
too small to collect sufficient water, open
surface water tanks can be constructed.
Open surface rain water tanks can be
constructed in areas that receive good
rainfall to ensure collection of enough
water. The design is based on the

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
 Open surface rain water tanks
principle that for every 1 mm of rainfall, 1
cubic meter of water is collected in every
square meter of surface.
Therefore, a water tank constructed
with surface area of 24 square meter will
collect 24 square meter of water from
a storm of 1mm rainfall. These tanks
provide clean quality water for a variety
of purposes including domestic use.
11. Minimise Production of
Environmental Pollutants From
Dairy Farming
Whilst nutrients may cause problems off
the farm, they are a valuable resource
on farms. The careful application of
fertilisers and an effective effluent
management plan will minimise off-farm
impacts and can boost productivity.
Greenhouse gas emissions can be
more difficult to control. Practices that
improve productivity such as feeding
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
a more digestible diet and applying
fertilisers appropriately can reduce
methane and nitrous oxide gas emissions
respectively, relative to the quantity of
milk produced. Ensuring the nutrient
requirements of both the plants and
animals are met appropriately will help
reduce/manage any potential nutrient
losses.
12. Maintain and/or Encourage
Biodiversity on The Farm
Although zero grazing farming
is undertaken in highly modified
environments, there are still
opportunities to encourage biodiversity.
Fence off sensitive areas such as water
sources to exclude livestock. Set non- 19
productive land aside as habitat for
native plants and animals. Preserve
remnants of the natural ecosystem by
linking non-productive areas at the local
level.
 13. Appropriate Use of Agricultural
and Veterinary Chemicals
Protect the environment by only using
approved agricultural and veterinary
chemicals and drugs according to the
directions on the label. Ensure the safe
and secure storage of farm chemicals,
preferably away from the milk storage
areas. Ensure the safe disposal of
expired and defective chemicals and
chemical containers. Consider biological
and other non-chemical approaches
to controlling farm pests, such as
eliminating pest breeding sites. Apply
integrated pest management practices
where appropriate. Apply fertilisers in
a manner that minimises the risks of
off-site nutrient impacts. Avoid using
fertilisers that contain toxins, heavy
metals or other contaminants. Ensure
the safe disposal or reuse of empty
fertiliser bags.
14. Ensure Appropriate Overall
Appearance of The Dairying
Operation
To limit the potentially adverse impact
of zero grazing on the landscape and
to provide a positive image of dairy
production, zero grazers should ensure
that access roads to their farms and the
farm surroundings are clean, sheds are
correctly maintained and that access
roads used by dairy animals are free of
effluent. Care should also be taken to
ensure that the dairy operation does not
impact neighbours or the local amenity
by controlling dust, smells, lights, noise,
flies or other nuisances.
20
15. Shared Responsibility for
Sustainability
Just as we as individuals are changing
our behaviour for the good of the planet,
dairy farmers are also leading efforts
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
to increase sustainability and reduce
waste on their farms. For dairy products,
get to know your farmers and choose
dairy cattle breeds that is sourced
from dairy farms that are helping to
bring sustainability to the food system,
reducing our carbon footprint and
helping dairy cows lead happy, healthy
lives.
16. Role of the Feed Base in
Environmental Protection
The feed base for dairy cattle
production can play an important role in
environmental protection. It consists of
either the main energy sources, such as
food-crop by-products and residues and
sugarcane bagasse, or the main protein
sources, such as forage legumes,
multipurpose trees and water plants.
Improving the quantity and quality of
forages produced will improve dairy
cattle production and feed efficiency and
reduce greenhouse gasses emissions
(particularly methane) per unit of animal
product, but may result in increased
emissions at the farm level, if animal
numbers are not kept constant or are
not reduced. Sustainable intensification
of forage-based agricultural systems
should result in release of land for other
environmentally friendly uses (such
as tree plantations, reconversion to
forest vegetation). Agricultural residues
such as cereal straws and stover and
groundnut or cowpea hay should not be
ensiled with leguminous forages and
agro-industrial by products to improve
their nutritive quality to avoid polluting
the atmosphere through burning.
High biomass and perennial fodders
(Napier grass and fodder trees and shrubs)
act as carbon sinks, counteracting the
greenhouse effect. They also control soil
erosion. The best use of these fodders
permits the reduction of land area per carbon sinks and for fixing atmospheric
livestock unit. Forage legumes such nitrogen (Azolla).
as lablab and alfalfa; fodder trees such
as Calliandra and Gliricidia and; fodder
shrubs such as Mexican Sunflower
planted together with crops or used as
ground cover in plantations, play a key
role by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and
increasing water absorption in the soil,
which prevents erosion and decreases
the need for artificial fertilizers.
Multipurpose fodder trees and shrubs
integrated into zero grazing dairy cattle
production system can contribute to
the protection of the environment in
various ways. They control erosion and
increase nitrogen in the soil (nitrogen-
fixing trees), thereby decreasing the
need for agrochemicals (fossil-energy
consuming). Widespread adoption of
this option has substantial mitigation
potential, because intensified diets
would considerably reduce the number
of ruminants needed to satisfy future Water lettuce
demand for milk and meat.
18. Prevent Snakes and Pests on Your
Zero grazing dairy cattle production Farm
systems can be environment-friendly
when feeds are grown on-farm and Snakes are an essential part of the
slurry is collected in bio-digesters, the ecosystem. However, many species
effluent of which may be used either as possess defensive traits that are harmful,
crop fertilizer or for fish production in or even deadly, to humans. Therefore, if
ponds. For the former there is the added you live in a snake prone area, try using
advantage that weed seeds have been certain plants that repel both venomous
inactivated during the digestion process. and non-venomous snakes around your
garden, activity areas, and household
17. Role of Water Plants in entryways. These plants will help to keep
Environmental Protection your property free from snakes. Some of
Water plants, such as Azolla sp., the ways to make dairy farms and homes
Lemna spp. and water lettuce, play a less inhabitable for snakes are:
• Keep all firewood piles elevated 21
key role in animal production systems.
They are a protein-rich feed, but they are from the ground. Don›t use birdseeds
also useful for purifying surface waters or baths and clean up fruits and nuts
(Water lettuce) polluted with organic that have fallen onto your compound.
matter (livestock and human wastes), as This is mostly to eliminate rodents
and other food supplies. Inspect

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
 and seal any crevices around the
foundation of your house to keep
snakes from getting inside.
• Get rid of covered or hidden places to
keep snakes away.
• Remove or reduce areas where
snakes are found. This will force the
snakes to seek a different place to
hide. Some of these areas include:
tall grasses, shrubs, wood or rock
piles, and boards, logs or anything
that will allow the snakes to crawl
under.
• Be sure your place is free from
the sources of food a snake would
depend on which are: rats, mice,
frogs, and lizards; which are the
staple diet of a snake.
• A small sprinkling of sulphur powder
might prove effective at keeping
snakes from sneaking in. These
solutions are best not to use if you
have small children or pets around
the house, though, because they
can be hazardous or even fatal if
consumed.
• Smoke, diesel fuel a mixture of
naphthalene with feline filler, lime
and pepper sprays are known to be
traditional snake repellents. Diesel
fuel is considered to be extremely
harmful for the environment by the
experts as your plants and useful
22
Tulbaghia violacea
The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
insects in the garden will be affected
by it.
• Physical measures such as snake
traps and fences can be more
effective against snakes. The best
way to protect oneself against these
crawling creatures is to bury a solid
fence deep into the ground.
• Pets are considered to be physical
measures against snakes. Pigs, dogs
and hedgehogs are considered to
feed on certain types of crawling
reptiles. But only hedgehogs do so
on the regular basis. Others will only
taste a snake if starving.
Snakes will sometimes try to get
into chicken coops for the eggs.
Chickens, as well as guinea hens and
turkeys, will attack and kill snakes
that get into the coop.
A number of plants can be grown on the
farm to repel snakes naturally. These
include:
(a) Garlic or pink agapanrhus (Tulbaghia
violacea)
Society garlic or pink agapanrhus
(Tulbaghia violacea) is a popular garden
plant that is useful for difficult hot
corners of the garden, as it will tolerate
prolonged drought.
The crushed leaves may be used to
help to discourage moles from the
garden. The smell repels fleas, ticks and
mosquitoes when crushed on the skin. It
is also a very good snake repellent.
(b) Tobacco plant
Tobacco plants planted around the farm
can help to repel snakes. Snakes hate
the scent of tobacco and will not come
around it.
(c) Onion and garlic
Onions and garlic are very useful garden
plants for repelling snakes. Both plants
give off a smell that snakes not only
dislike, but it also confuses them. Garlic
plants are thought to be the best plants
that repel snakes. The plant gives off an
oily residue when a snake slithers over
a clove. This oil acts very much like an
onion does when we slice it: the aroma is
disorienting like a pepper spray.

Onion Garlic
(d) Lemon grass plant
Lemon grass produces a citrus smell that deters snakes. This is one of the best plants
that repel snakes, mosquitoes, and even ticks from your garden. Lemon grass is
drought-resistant and easy to maintain. Use lemon grass to form a secure barrier from
snakes and repel mosquitoes and ticks at the same time.

23

Lemon
grass

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
 (f) Clove Basil (Ocimum gratissimum)
One of the smells snakes hate the most
is the smell of cloves. Like all basils,
clove basil is strong on scent, but with a
distinctive clove-like smell that ranks it
as one of the best snake-repellent plants.
As a bonus, this basil plant can grow up
to 2 meters tall but can be trimmed into
a hedge-like shape. It has pretty purple
and green leaves with a strong scent, so
it is traditionally grown for its essential
oils.

Clove Basil

(g) The Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Plant

(Dracaena trifasciata)
In light of its sharp leaves, Mother-in
Law’s Tongue is possibly the best plant
to repel snakes, but also because the
plant restores oxygen at a higher than
typical rate. Snakes discover that they
see Mother-in-law Tongue terrifying,
24 unlike rank plants. So the use in the
nursery is an excellent looking plant and
it is extremely low maintenance as a
hindrance against snakes. The plant just
needs water three days a week. Mother-in-law Tongue

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
References

1. Guetebier, A. 2022. Snake-repellent 4. Kabirizi J.M.L. 2023. Unlocking

plants that can help pest-proof your the potential of feed production
garden. https://www.bobvila.com/ technologies, innovations and
articles/snake-repellent-plants/ management practices of
2. kabirizi, j.m. 2022. turning livestock smallholder dairy cattle farmers
waste into cooking fuel Source: in Uganda. February 2023. ISBN.
Alternative Fuel as an Innovative 9789970675951
Agribusiness for Youth Groups 5. Vivek Singh , 2023. Cow dung
3. Kabirizi, J.M.; Male, A. and Piro, W. products made in India and
2023. Use Diatomaceous Earth abroad. Updated 27 June, 2023.
Feed Additive to Improve Livestock https://krishijagran.com/animal-
Production and Maintain a Clean husbandry/cow-dung-products-
Environment. (Unpublished). made-in-india-and-abroad/

25

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions
 KABIRIZI JOLLY M. L. (PhD-Animal science)
/Smallholder dairy cattle farmer
Kyakuwa Farm, Seguku Cell 4,
Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council,
Wakiso District, Kampala-Entebbe Road,
P.O. Box 31153, Kampala, Uganda;
26 Telephone No.: +256 777912716;
E-mail: jmkabirizi@gmail.com;
Website: <http://www.jollykabirizi.com

The Hidden Effects of Zero Grazing Dairy Cattle Farming on Public & Environmental Health and Proposed Solutions