Utilisation of Non-Conventional Animal Waste as Feeds by Multiple Livestock Species Farmers in Lake Victoria Crescent of Central Uganda

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to establish the utilisation of non-conventional animal waste in multiple livestock species systems. Farmers (150) were selected from four out of ten districts of Central Uganda in Lake Victoria Crescent. A structured questionnaire was used and descriptive analysis showed that over 80% are smallholder farmers on 3.0) years. Household husbands (80%) significantly (P 1.0) as they cause poor livestock health due to pathogens, parasites and toxins which are associated (OD > 1.0) with poor growth, mortality and condemnation of livestock products. The remedy to unsafe non-conventional feeds is to apply effective solar-heating (75%), chemical and ensiling treatment methods. The study showed that there are no significant (P < 0.001) public health risks associated with utilising treated non-conventional feeds instead it improves production and sustainability of multiple livestock species systems.

Characterisation of Smallholder Multiple Livestock Species Production Systems in Parts of Lake Victoria Crescent of Central Uganda

A cross-sectional study of 150 purposively selected multiple livestock species farmers was conducted in Central Uganda aimed at distinguishing between mixed and integrated livestock systems. Performance and operational-based challenges misconstrued to cause incorrect comparison between the two systems were considered. Ten multiple-livestock species system with five ruminant species-based and five monogastric species-based combinations were categorised. Poultry, pig, fish, goats and sheep kept in both the 3 and 4-species combinations were considered. Over 80% of the families are male dominated, smallholder and occupying > 1.0 Ha of land. Exotic and crossbred breeds were adopted away from less productive and noncommercial local species. Mixed monogastric-fish systems with monogastric species dominated (P 1000) stock per farm. Stalls dominate pig management systems with 15% of the farmers upgraded to commercial level with (>50) stock per farm. Ineffective livestock policies contribute to inefficient performance of 55% of livestock farmers. In conclusion, mixed livestock systems should be upgraded to integrated livestock systems with input resource synergy for improved production and sustainability.

Prioritization of Crop Residues for Improving Productivity on Smallholder Dairy Farming Households in the Lake Victoria Crescent, Uganda

Poor nutrition has been identified as a major constraint to productivity in smallholder dairy farming households in Uganda, particularly in Lake Victoria Crescent Agroecological Zone (LVZ). Clarification on nutritional potential of crop residues is central to formulation of sustainable dairy cattle nutrition strategies. Data were collected from 126 randomly selected respondents using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. Farmers’ responses on crop residues utilization, handling, limitations, spatial and temporal variability were collected. Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences on utilization of available crop residues (X2 = 50.4, df = 4, p = 0.0001) among farmer’s rankings. It was established that maize stovers were major crop residues utilized and inadequate knowledge to process crop residues was ranked as a major limitation. The study provided basic information on the importance of crop residues. Further research studies should focus on improving the nutritive value of maize stover.

Optimizing bio-physical conditions and pre-treatment options for breaking lignin barrier of maize stover feed using white rot fungi

The greatest limitation to utilization of maize stover by ruminants as a feed is the high concentration of lignin, which limits fibre digestibility. However, ruminants can effectively utilize maize stover if its nutritive value is improved using white rot fungal species. This study was designed to determine optimal biophysical conditions for mycelial growth and select the most ideal fungal species and pre-treatment options for improving nutritive value of maize stover. Four popular edible Pleurotus fungal species(viz.Pleurotus florida,Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor caju and Pleurotus pulmonarius) were subjected to varying temperatures, pH levels, hydrogen peroxide(H_2 O_2) concentration and illumination to establish the extent of mycelial growth rate.Inclusion of H_2 O_2 was used to determine optimal levels for preservation and prevention of contamination from other indigenous microbiota. Effects of pre-treatment options on chemical composition and nutritive value of maize stover were also examined. Mycelial growth rate of Pleurotus species on potato dextrose agar(PDA) varied(P < 0.05) with temperature, pH level and H_2 O_2 concentration following a quadratic trend. Optimal temperature, pH and H_2 O_2 concentration for mycelial growth on PDA were 25 ℃,5 and 0.01 mL/L, respectively. Under the different bio-physical conditions,P. sajor caju had the highest mycelia density and growth rate. Chemical composition of solid-state fermented maize stover differed(P < 0.05) among the Pleurotus species. Maize stover fermented with P. sajor caju had the highest crude protein(CP) of 86.6 g/kg DM, in-vitro dry matter digestibility(IVDMD) of 731 g/kg DM, in-vitro organic matter digestibility(IVOMD) of 670.4 g/kg DM and metabolizable energy(ME) of10.0 MJ/kg DM but with the lowest lignin(sa) of 50 g/kg DM. At 25℃, P. sajor caju had the highest mycelial growth rate on PDA and highest lignin(sa) breakdown in the maize stover substrate. It was, therefore,selected as the most ideal fungal species for improving nutritive value of maize stover. Pre-treatment of maize stover with Lactobacillus plantarum and molasses under anaerobic condition for 7 days before inoculation with P. sajor caju resulted into a substrate with the highest(P< 0.05) CP(96.6 g/kg DM), IVDMD(752.3 g/kg DM), IVOMD(687.2 g/kg DM) and ME(10.2 MJ/kg DM). However, neutral detergent fiber exclusive of residual ash(NDFom) and lignin(sa) fractions decreased(P < 0.05) as a result of subjecting maize stover to pre-treatment with L. plantarum and molasses prior to fermentation with P. sajor caju.Therefore, pre-treatment of maize stover with L. plantarum and molasses for 7 days prior to fermentation with P. sajorcaju for 14 days in darkness at 25℃ offered the greatest potential for breaking the lignin barrier.