Theme 2-2: Forage Production and Utilization--Poster Sessions

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In Malawi, feed shortage during the dry season (June-October) is a critical factor affecting smallholder dairying. Though suitable improved forages were long introduced, important parameters that indicate forage and hay quality for dry season feeding have been less well studied. This study evaluated the effect of cutting stage and turning frequency at drying of two tropical forages on nutrient composition and digestibility. A 23 factorial experiment laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design was conducted in Mzuzu milk shed area. Centrosema pubescens and Chloris gayana were established on four plots (5m x 3m) each by 24 dairy farmers; two plots per forage species representing two cuts at 14 and 18 weeks. At harvest, biomass was partitioned and sun-dried as follows: first lot was turned once while the second lot was turned twice daily for four days. Forage hay samples were collected for nutrient composition analysis. All data were subjected to analysis of variance. The results showed that fibre components increased with stage of maturity while CP and digestibility declined but Centrosema pubescens retained quality attributes. There were no significant interactions between forage species, cutting stage and turning frequency. It is concluded that harvesting at 14 weeks produced hay with high nutritive value than at 18 weeks. Frequency of turning had no effect on nutritive value of the hay. It is recommended to promote cultivation of improved pastures for hay making to complement cut and carry system using natural pastures.

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Effect of Cutting Stage and Turning Frequency on Nutritive Value and Digestibility of Two Tropical Forages

In Malawi, feed shortage during the dry season (June-October) is a critical factor affecting smallholder dairying. Though suitable improved forages were long introduced, important parameters that indicate forage and hay quality for dry season feeding have been less well studied. This study evaluated the effect of cutting stage and turning frequency at drying of two tropical forages on nutrient composition and digestibility. A 23 factorial experiment laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design was conducted in Mzuzu milk shed area. Centrosema pubescens and Chloris gayana were established on four plots (5m x 3m) each by 24 dairy farmers; two plots per forage species representing two cuts at 14 and 18 weeks. At harvest, biomass was partitioned and sun-dried as follows: first lot was turned once while the second lot was turned twice daily for four days. Forage hay samples were collected for nutrient composition analysis. All data were subjected to analysis of variance. The results showed that fibre components increased with stage of maturity while CP and digestibility declined but Centrosema pubescens retained quality attributes. There were no significant interactions between forage species, cutting stage and turning frequency. It is concluded that harvesting at 14 weeks produced hay with high nutritive value than at 18 weeks. Frequency of turning had no effect on nutritive value of the hay. It is recommended to promote cultivation of improved pastures for hay making to complement cut and carry system using natural pastures.