Farmer-led feeding and breeding approaches for overcoming seasonality-driven milk fluctuations in smallholder dairy farms in Kenya and Tanzania

Abstract

Seasonality-driven changes in farmer-led feeding and breeding approaches are increasingly captured as contributing to fluctuations in milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy cows in smallholder dairy farms in Eastern Africa. This study aimed to assess the effects of location, agro-ecology, production systems, breed types and seasonal changes on milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy cows; and to propose potential modifiable farmer-led interventions for overcoming fluctuations in dairy production. A cross-sectional household survey from 400 smallholder dairy farming households in highlands and lowlands of Kenya and Tanzania, followed by an observational monitoring study for a period of one year, were used to establish the effects of seasonality on milk yield and reproductive performance. Questionnaire and Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis using multivariate/multinomial analysis of variance (MANOVA) were employed to display variable seasonal differences in performance. Mean separation was carried out using least significant difference (LSD) at P ≤ 0.05 significance level. Results revealed that year round rainfall seasonality and differences in location, agro-ecology, breeds and production systems, significantly (P < 0.05) resulted into changes in reproductive performance and milk yield. Mean values for AFS, AFC and CI were higher in the dry season than in wet season (32.34 SEM = 0.90 v‟s 29.14 SEM 0.90 months; 38.05 SEM = 0.61 v‟s 36.23 SEM 0.62 months; and 469.60 SEM = 8.78 v‟s 445.49 SEM 8.94 days), respectively. Wet and dry season variation (%) in calving interval was +/-6.30%, ranging from +/-5.00-15.00% between breeds within agro ecologies. Similarly, daily milk yield per cow (L) was lower in the dry season than in wet season (8.44 SEM = 0.27 v‟s 9.01 SEM 0.30). Season variation (%) in daily milk yield, between wet and dry seasons was +/-6.22%, which was lower for local zebu (+/-3.96%) and highest for improved breeds (+/-14.50%). There was significant (P < 0.05) year round variation in feeds and fodder sources (quality and quantity) and usage, with the exception of concentrate feeding. In vitro culture of crop residues pre-treated with urea and urea plus molasses, and further comprehensive in vitro culture of maize stover, showed positive effects (P < 0.05) on chemical and nutritional composition in terms of total gas production (GP), dry matter digestibility (DMD), crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME), amongst all other parameters. This study concludes that iinterventions for increasing farmers‟ experience and knowledge in overcoming seasonality driven milk fluctuations, must be holistic, in due consideration of seasonality and environment effects, in order to improve milk yield and reproductive efficiency sustainably over time. It is recommended that the new knowledge gained with this research can be incorporated into a holistic model of optimization of cow performance and thereby be one among other tools for optimizing production economy of smallholder dairy farmers in Eastern Africa