404
improved production and reproductive performance of animals. These measures
may also enhance soil organic carbon and other soil qualities, improve rangeland
carbon sequestration and thereby contribute to reducing climate change.
In our study area, the Hanang District, authorities reallocated large communal
grazing areas for wheat farming, which in turn led to conflicts. However, a fruitful
partnership between the HLH Farm and surrounding agropastoralists has now been
established. Previously, to utilise the straw, pastoralists came in with the herd after
the wheat was harvested, and this resulted in low utilisation of the feed as well as
damage to the farm contours, which in turn led to erosion. Farmworkers in the study
collected part of the straw and stored it for use by cattle feed in the dry period. We
are still working on identifying the sustainable ratio for dividing the straw between
animal feed and mulching for sustained soil productivity. Currently, we recommend
a rate of equal use, that is, half the amount to remain in the field and the other
removed and stored as dry season feed. To avoid depleting the soil fertility, farmers
should monitor levels of soil nutrients. Interestingly, appropriate use of fertiliser
results in increased yields of both grain and straw, benefitting both humans and
cattle. Co-utilisation between large-scale farms and pastoralists in this way may
lead to increased food production, both directly from the grain and indirectly
through ruminants utilising the straw.
4 Conclusions
The results described in this study indicate that farmers should endeavour to supplement their young stock regularly, at least in times when the animals cannot sustain
themselves on grazing alone. We recommend that future studies model the effect of
supplementing cattle in feedlots before slaughter. Concentrate supplementation has
predominantly been discussed in this paper; further studies should also assess the
use of roughages and treated/untreated straw and stovers. Moreover, future studies
should also address the supplementary feeding of cows.
References
Agricultural Sector Development Programme Phase Two (ASDP II) (2016) Tanzanian Government
Programme Document, pp. 204. Visited 1 Apr 2019, www.tzdpg.or.tz/fileadmin/documents/
external/national_development_frameworks/ASDP2-DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (2010) Definition of terms used in
Farm Business Management. Third edition. Published by the Department for the Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs. Visited 14 Feb 2019, www.neat-network.eu/sites/neat-network.eu/
files/Definition%20of%20terms.pdf
Doran MH, Low ARC, Kemp RL (1979) Cattle as a store of wealth in Swaziland: implications
for livestock development and overgrazing in Eastern and Southern Africa. Am J Agric Econ
61(1):41–47
A. S. Ringheim et al.
improved production and reproductive performance of animals. These measures
may also enhance soil organic carbon and other soil qualities, improve rangeland
carbon sequestration and thereby contribute to reducing climate change.
In our study area, the Hanang District, authorities reallocated large communal
grazing areas for wheat farming, which in turn led to conflicts. However, a fruitful
partnership between the HLH Farm and surrounding agropastoralists has now been
established. Previously, to utilise the straw, pastoralists came in with the herd after
the wheat was harvested, and this resulted in low utilisation of the feed as well as
damage to the farm contours, which in turn led to erosion. Farmworkers in the study
collected part of the straw and stored it for use by cattle feed in the dry period. We
are still working on identifying the sustainable ratio for dividing the straw between
animal feed and mulching for sustained soil productivity. Currently, we recommend
a rate of equal use, that is, half the amount to remain in the field and the other
removed and stored as dry season feed. To avoid depleting the soil fertility, farmers
should monitor levels of soil nutrients. Interestingly, appropriate use of fertiliser
results in increased yields of both grain and straw, benefitting both humans and
cattle. Co-utilisation between large-scale farms and pastoralists in this way may
lead to increased food production, both directly from the grain and indirectly
through ruminants utilising the straw.
4 Conclusions
The results described in this study indicate that farmers should endeavour to supplement their young stock regularly, at least in times when the animals cannot sustain
themselves on grazing alone. We recommend that future studies model the effect of
supplementing cattle in feedlots before slaughter. Concentrate supplementation has
predominantly been discussed in this paper; further studies should also assess the
use of roughages and treated/untreated straw and stovers. Moreover, future studies
should also address the supplementary feeding of cows.
References
Agricultural Sector Development Programme Phase Two (ASDP II) (2016) Tanzanian Government
Programme Document, pp. 204. Visited 1 Apr 2019, www.tzdpg.or.tz/fileadmin/documents/
external/national_development_frameworks/ASDP2-DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (2010) Definition of terms used in
Farm Business Management. Third edition. Published by the Department for the Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs. Visited 14 Feb 2019, www.neat-network.eu/sites/neat-network.eu/
files/Definition%20of%20terms.pdf
Doran MH, Low ARC, Kemp RL (1979) Cattle as a store of wealth in Swaziland: implications
for livestock development and overgrazing in Eastern and Southern Africa. Am J Agric Econ
61(1):41–47
A. S. Ringheim et al.