Feed Resources Potential and Nutritional Quality of Major Feed Stuffs in Raya Kobo District, North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Using multi-stage purposive sampling technique, 270 households who owned cattle were selected from three agro-ecologies to assess feed resources potential and to evaluate the nutritional quality majorly used feed resources. Structured questionnaire, field observation and focus group discussion were used to collect detailinformation. Conversion factors were used to quantify each feed recourse yield potential per a year in the district. Ten majorly usedcattle feed sampleswere taken to evaluate their nutritional quality. Collected data were analyzed using SAS version 9.2 software packages. Natural pastures, crop residues, stable grazing and hay were the available feed resources in the study area. The cattle population in the district was estimated 1,520 TLU which required an estimated of 13,871 tons of DM for maintenance per annum. The overall estimated DMYof the feed resources in the district was 366,719 tons per year. By assuming 20% of the feed resources wasted during transportation, storage and feeding, 293,375 tons of DM could be utilized as livestock feed per annum. Major feed resources in the district were grouped under poor quality. In conclusion, the feed resources potential in the district could satisfy the cattle population DM maintenance requirement. However, whether the remaining DMY could satisfy the DM requirement of the entire livestockpopulationin the district needs further investigation. The nutritional quality of feed resources needs improvement through treatment. Moreover, supplementary feeding is needed to satisfy the entire nutrientrequirements of the livestock population in the district.