Publication Date
1997
Description
The livestock sector contributes about 30% of the total value of agricultural production but the sector does not meet the demand for milk. Currently, there is serious migration of the rural population to urban centres and this will lead to high demand for milk and milk products. Therefore, the development of peri-urban dairy production by the small scale farmers appears a promising option to solve the problems of malnutrition, increase household incomes and improve the quality of life of these farmers. The dominant production system practised is zero-grazing using improved dairy breeds and feeding elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) with limited forage legume component. This has tended to lead to low milk production. The general objective was to integrate appropriate forage legumes into maize and elephant grass/livestock farming systems in order to improve feed quality and quantity and hence milk production. The paper presents data on compatibility of three forage legumes undersown into maize and also a conceptual model of the system under study.
Citation
Sabiiti, E N.; Mugerwa, J S.; Ngategize, P; and Kyeyune, G, "Integration of Forage Legumes into Maize/Elephant Grass Systems for Dairy Farming" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 28.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session19/28
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Integration of Forage Legumes into Maize/Elephant Grass Systems for Dairy Farming
The livestock sector contributes about 30% of the total value of agricultural production but the sector does not meet the demand for milk. Currently, there is serious migration of the rural population to urban centres and this will lead to high demand for milk and milk products. Therefore, the development of peri-urban dairy production by the small scale farmers appears a promising option to solve the problems of malnutrition, increase household incomes and improve the quality of life of these farmers. The dominant production system practised is zero-grazing using improved dairy breeds and feeding elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) with limited forage legume component. This has tended to lead to low milk production. The general objective was to integrate appropriate forage legumes into maize and elephant grass/livestock farming systems in order to improve feed quality and quantity and hence milk production. The paper presents data on compatibility of three forage legumes undersown into maize and also a conceptual model of the system under study.
