Food Science & Nutrition Research
Open AccessEffects of Dry Matter Yields Variability on Milk Production and Live Weight Changes in Dairy Cattle in Coastal Lowlands, Kenya
Authors: Mburu Leonard, Gachuiri Charles, Mande John.
Abstract
Feed quantity and quality are inadequate and rarely meet the nutrient demands of lactating cows especially in the dry seasons in the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya. The objective was to determine the seasonality of dry matter yields and utilization of feed resources and their effects on milk production and live weight changes on cattle production in Coastal Lowlands. A longitudinal survey was carried out for 12 months on a purposive sample of 32 farms. The estimated annual on-farm feed production and animal requirements was 3,865 tonnes DM/year and 5,004 tonnes DM/year respectively with a deficit of 1,139 tonnes DM/year. The annual on-farm feed DM production met cattle requirements during season IV when there was a surplus of 54.1 tonnes DM. The mean live weight change (MLWC) ranged from 168 - 268g/day for season III and season IV respectively. The average milk production (AMP) ranged from 4.7 - 5.6 liters/cow/day for season III and season I respectively. Pooling available feed resources for 12 months through appropriate storage and carry-over between seasons decreased MLWC from 268 - 257 g/day in season IV but increased from 264 – 274; 261 - 278 and 168 - 187 g/day in seasons I, II and III respectively. The deficit in DM availability during the dry season could be remedied through conserving surplus feed during the wet season. These results could be used to develop an integrated forage production and livestock nutrition management plan to provide sufficient year-round feed supply based on animal requirements and supplementation strategies.
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