Variation in quantity and quality of native forages and grazing behavior of cattle and goats in Tanzania
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Abstract
The study was conducted to assess the effects of seasonal variation in the quality and quantity
of pasture and management of livestock exclosures (ngitili) on the grazing behavior of cattle
and goats. The study was 2 2 2 factorial design with three independent variables: season
(Dry or Rainy), ngitili management (Private or Communal) and animal species (Cattle or
Goats). Focal and scan observation methods were used to record different behavioral
activities. Vegetation attributes from the study areas were measured in two consecutive
seasons. Most key forage species had significant higher crude protein (CP) content and in vitro
organic matter digestibility (INVOMD) in rainy than in dry season (Po0.05), but Neutral
Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) did not vary significantly with season
(P40.05). ADF and NDF were significantly higher in species from communal ngitili than those
from private ngitili (Po0.05). Above-ground herbaceous biomass and bulk density (BD) were
significantly higher in the rainy season and in the private ngitili than in the dry season and in
the communal ngitili respectively. Cattle and goats spent considerably more time grazing and
browsing respectively in the rainy season than in the dry season (Po0.05). Cattle foraging
activities did not vary significantly (P40.05) with ngitili management, but goats found to
spend considerably more time browsing in the communal ngitili and more time grazing in the
private ngitili (Po0.05). Despite the merits of stocking cattle and goats together in the
heterogeneous pasture, seasonal variation in forage resources requires investigation of other
strategies such as use of multipurpose trees and treatment of crop residues to improve
livestock production.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Season, Ngitili management, Forage, Grazing, Grazing Behavior