How to construct an ideal zero grazing unit daily nation. Livestock kenya tips to a profitable zero grazing enterprise. Zero grazing is the cheapest feed source for dairy farmers. The farm located about 15 kilometers from nakuru town kenya is in wendo sub location, ngesha farm near utugi pcea. An analysis was performed for indicators of health and welfare with husbandry type, aspects of the housing system, farm characteristics, and management routines. Many small scale dairy farmers in kenya are adopting zero grazing because of the several benefits associated with it. This type of farming inhibits movement of the cattle especially during grazing. Dairy cattle in kenya are commonly reared under three production systems. To minimise confinement stress, the principal should ensure professional guidance in construction of the unit and minimum commotion such as noise, rapid movements of the confined cows and any activity that unsettles the animals. Effects of floor characteristics on locomotion scores in dairy cows under smallholder zerograzing units in kikuyu district, kenya article pdf available in global governance 146. Study design selection of study area, farms and animals the study was carried out on 64 smallholder dairy farms using zero grazing in. Zerograzing to cut soil erosion in rwanda the east african. How to utilise the zerograzing system teagasc agriland. The findings of the study showed a positive trend in milk productivity between 2000 and 2010.
Zerograzing has been a common livestock cattle and pigs management practice in most areas of southwestern uganda due to reduced communal grazing land. Soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, as well as land fragmentation, have been singled out as major threats to rwandas food security in recent years. Wowesok widow and orphans society of kenya zero grazing monogamy the art of embracing monopartnership xiii acknowledgements this book, which has been difficult to research and write, is the result of the efforts and contributions of many to whom i am grateful. Evaluation african biogas partnership programme executive.
Study design selection of study area, farms and animals the study was carried out on 64 smallholder dairy farms using zero grazing in mukurweini district and on an equal. Dairy farming zero grazing unit role of weather station in agriculture food drying and storage technologies. Variable % stall feeding zero grazing 67 use of artificial insemination 52 use of tick acaricide 71 cattle vaccinations 63 use of anthelmintics 89 use of private veterinary service 41 fodder mainly sourced from own farm 56 source. German agroaction supported the goat programme in tanzania and the mcknight foundation supported it in uganda. Mount kenya and central rift valley regions, where crop production is also practiced. Kibichiku, wangige area, is one of those many farmers in kenya who have embraced the practice of keeping and feeding their. Low cost semi commercial goat house good for 100 to 150 goats. Zero grazingmeaning, in the words of the head of ugandas aids control program, avoid indiscriminate and freeranging sexual relationswere posted on public buildings, broadcast on radio, and bellowed in speeches by government officials. In some cases it is likely that the herd will graze conventionally for most of the season, but receive zero grazed grass when useful. The scale of operations ranges from small scale 120 cows to large scale more. Zero grazing in kenya, take a look medilink vet suppliers. Smallholder zerograzing units in the periurban areas of nairobi, kenya. Feeding systems include free, semizero and zerograzing, representing increasing levels of intensification.
Zero grazing is the cheapest feed source for dairy farmers farmer focus reports 27th june 2015 robin clements, trillick, co tyrone zero grazing plays role the effective utilisation of grazed grass is one of the main strengths of the irish dairy industry and research has shown it to be the cheapest feed source for dairy farmers. Zero grazing goats cannot explore all the plants distributed and they are unable to choose either the type or the part of the plants they prefer, as they normally do in grazing situations. Zero grazing is the cheapest feed source for dairy farmers farmer focus reports 27th june 2015 robin clements, trillick, co tyrone zero grazing plays role the effective utilisation of grazed grass is one of the main strengths of the irish dairy industry and research has. Zero grazing definition of zero grazing by the free dictionary. Many smallholder dairy farmers in kenya are embracing the zero grazing model of dairy production because of the. Cattle in a zero grazing unit in kenya are vaccinated just like any other against foot and mouth disease, twice a year. Each cow has a resting place known as the cubicle, which should be high enough and spacious. May 01, 2015 how to construct an ideal zero grazing unit. However, productivity was higher in higher potential areas and increased up the income quintiles.
Aug 16, 20 this type of dairy farming in kenya is where cattle are confined in a shed where they are fed from. The tegemeo institute of research, an agriculturefocused think tank, says in its report that farmers practising zero grazing are making an average loss of sh0. Just how much money does dairy farmers make in kenya. Nalunkuuma 20 revealed that gender male, herd size, number of family members going to school, and the number of small ruminants negatively impacted of zero grazing adoption in western kenya. If your animals have no access to a grazing area, then the place where they are kept permanently must be considerably more spacious than a. Zero grazing best way to go for small farms daily nation. Naturally, cattle are grazing animals and therefore pas. Pdf a cross sectional survey questionnaire was administered in 520 livestock farms in kisii and bungoma counties of western kenya. Kenyas dairy sector is the most developed in eastern.
Nov 05, 2016 this video is about zero grazing nairobi, kenya. To begin with, proper planning is necessary before starting a zerograzing system. Farmers received training on how to seed and harvest. Layout and design of grazing systems university of missouri. The intensive systems are the most predominant and comprise zero grazing and semi zero grazing systems. Tips to a profitable modern zero grazing dairy enterprise. This practice, however, is limited to only a few farmers. Mastitogenic bacteria isolated from dairy cows in kenya and. Adoption of zero grazing and impact on livestock keepers knowledge of cattle reproductive parameters in western kenya j nalunkuuma, h affognon 1, s w kingori 1, d salifu 1 and f k njonge 2 makerere university, p.
The standard zero grazing housing system has various essential areas. There is minimum movement of cattle because they are not allowed to graze in the fields and thus the term zero grazing. Faso because zero grazing is not common yet and sufficient fodder for the animals is lacking. Nonetheless, the majority of the biogas users are satisfied with the biogas production in burkina faso, although biogas has not fully substituted firewood. Many smallholder dairy farmers in kenya are embracing the zero grazing model of dairy production because of the many benefits accruing from it. Dairy cattle management, health and welfare in smallholder. Livestock kenya recommended zero grazing housing plan. A new research on zero grazing as a form of dairy production has found out that zero grazing is no longer viable or profitable. My simple, low cost and profitable zerograzing daily nation. May 11, 2006 it appears that behavior change programs, particularly involving extensive promotion of zero grazing faithfulness and partner reduction, largely developed by the ugandan government and local ngos including faithbased, womens, peoplelivingwithaids and other communitybased groups, contributed to the early declines in casual. The following is the recommended housing plan for a small scale zero grazing unit. Zero grazing can also play a role when utilising fields too wet for grazing, provided the machines employed have sufficiently wide wheels to safely distribute their load. Welfare of dairy cattle in the smallholder zerograzing.
Africa with its cattle breeds ranging from local breeds, their crosses with the pure breeds to pure breeds. Pdf adoption of zero grazing and impact on livestock. Other animal husbandry activities such as animal health, are also carried out under zero grazing. A modern zero grazing unit or stall feeding is basically confining dairy cattle in a stall and feeding them there. In central kenya over 80 percent of dairy animals are kept under zero grazing staal et al. The traditional 3stone fire remains the most frequently equipment used. The cowshed functions as a closed and safe environment for the cows, giving protection from rain and sufficient shade. May 06, 2015 when zerograzing is employed, it needs to be part of a rotational grazing system, with excellent grassland management entailing good grass measurement and management practices such as using the grazing wedge to ensure effective grassbudgeting.
Used for many years in parts of mainland europe, it is currently used on only a small number of irish farms. Majority of dairy animals in kenya are kept by smallholder farmers under zero grazing or semi zero grazing systems. The cubicle of a dairy cow shed has three distinct areas. Livestock production systems spotlight food and agriculture. This technology is more environmentally friendly than the free range grazing method that is commonly practiced in samia subcounty.
Pdf effects of floor characteristics on locomotion scores. Unique beef cattle fattening venture rakes in millions for. Recommended zero grazing housing plan written by maurice rangoma. The kenya dairy subsector has been undergoing developments since the 1980s, these. It was possible to see rotational grazing paddocks during field visits.
The animals are housed and the farmers bring all the feed and water to the animals. Zero grazing is the practice of confining dairy cattle in a stall and feeding them there instead of letting them graze the fields. Tips to a profitable zero grazing enterprise written by maurice rangoma. Welfare of dairy cattle in the smallholder zerograzing production systems in nairobi and its environs j w aleri, j nguhiumwangi, e m mogoa and c m mulei department of clinical studies, faculty of veterinary medicine, university of nairobi, p.
Pdf welfare of dairy cattle in the smallholder zerograzing. Livestock farmers and businesses can get loans from kenya livestock finance trust. Under the zerograzing system, cattle are confined in one place where feed and water are. Welfare of dairy cattle in the smallholder zerograzing production. In the zero grazing system, dairy animals are confined within a structure from where they are fed, milked and spend the night. Zero grazing has been a common livestock cattle and pigs management practice in most areas of southwestern uganda due to reduced communal grazing land. Zero grazing technology was introduced in kenya by the colonialists as a means to improve milk production bebe et al. A rough estimate of returns obtainable from dairy enterprise can be calculated. To begin with, proper planning is necessary before starting a zero grazing system. In kenya, efforts to develop and disseminate this technology to smallholder dairy farmers have been on for over a decade. Other donors include cordaid, band aid, icap, david whitbread estate, safaricom, daily telegraph readers, guernsey overseas fund.
Extension workers were provided with a bicycle and were excused from kazi jumuiacompulsory community work according to local bylaws, all villagers are required to work one day a week on community activities such as road maintenance or school building. Zero grazing or stall feeding is basically confining dairy cattle in a stall and feeding them there. An economic analysis of the impact of gender and other. Kenya s central bank cushions saccos against defaulters.
Why zero grazing no longer an ideal dairy production system recent research shows. Republic of kenya ministry of livestock development housing in a zero grazing system programme coordination unit tel. Zero grazing as a system of commercial dairy production has many advantages compared to free grazing. The structure is highly ventilated and made out of galvanized steel covered with shaded polyethylene. In the freegrazing systems, farmers graze cattle on private or public owned pastures during the day and keep them within the homestead at night. Feeding behaviour of grazing and zerograzing goats fed with. Kenya agricultural livestock research organizations kalro is mandated to promote, streamline, coordinate and regulate all aspects of research in agriculture and livestock development, and also promote the application of the research findings and technologies in the country. This study investigated the effect of improved fodder plants and zero grazing dairy technologies on the performance of male and female smallholder dairy farmers. May 06, 2015 a zero grazing system is where grass is mechanically mown and brought to cattle. With good planning, many dairy animals can be kept on a relatively small piece of land. Indicators of poor welfare in dairy cows within smallholder.
We accommodate our cows in an ergonomic and comfortable growing environment. It appears that behavior change programs, particularly involving extensive promotion of zero grazing faithfulness and partner reduction, largely developed by the ugandan government and local ngos including faithbased, womens, peoplelivingwithaids and other communitybased groups, contributed to the early declines in casual. Adoption of zero grazing and impact on livestock keepers knowledge of cattle reproductive parameters in western kenya. Dairy cattle production in kenya is the second largest contributor to the. Hebinck and others published opening the black box. Effects of feeding practices on milk yield and composition. There is minimum movement of cattle because they are not allowed to graze in the fields and thus the term zero. Sep 30, 2015 a 200 cattle zero grazing farm in nakuru kenya. Zero grazing uganda okurisiza hamwe stallfed livestock production is an efficient method to produce organic fertilizers manure for the conservation and improvement of soil fertility. Kenya agricultural livestock research organizations kalro is mandated to promote, streamline, coordinate and regulate all aspects of research in agriculture and livestock. Mastitogenic bacteria isolated from dairy cows in kenya. Unique beef cattle fattening venture rakes in millions for creative doctors.
These production systems are negatively impacted by a. My simple, low cost and profitable zerograzing saturday june 14 2014 i used cheap eucalyptus poles to construct the roof and the only serious expense that i incurred was the iron sheets. Generally, the benefits of this system include cows being confined, therefore using most of the energy from feeds for growth and milk production, enabling clean milk production. An example for the farmers in kenya who have 2 6 cows and to generate an income for their families. Only registered and logged in users can download this file. Pdf adoption of zero grazing and impact on livestock keepers. Jun 14, 2014 my simple, low cost and profitable zerograzing saturday june 14 2014 i used cheap eucalyptus poles to construct the roof and the only serious expense that i incurred was the iron sheets. Here, the cows are fed in a feeding trough which is located within the shed and milked in a dairy with the calves being rared in the calf pen. Zero grazing meaning, in the words of the head of ugandas aids control program, avoid indiscriminate and freeranging sexual relationswere posted on public buildings, broadcast on radio, and bellowed in speeches by government officials. For this reason, the herbage intake composition of zero grazing goats doei not differ greatly from that of pasture. These smallholder dairy entrepreneurs have adopted zero grazing as the preferred system of production, and invest amongst others in physical structures i. As a result, smallscale farmers have adopted the system of zero grazing, which is an ecofriendly practice for animal husbandry if dairy cows are kept in good living conditions. Teams of aids educators trained by the ministry of health fanned. It should not be too small or too big to allow the cow to turn around inside.
Adoption of zero grazing and impact on livestock keepers. In the zero grazing system, dairy animals are confined within a structure from where they are. Complete guide on zero grazing housing designs in kenya. This also included the theoretical framework on which the study was premised which was the women. I still believe you dont have to own land to venture into dairy. Its appeal is that it allows cattle to consume fresh grass from fields that are too far away, or are separated by busy road, to be included in the grazing. About 70% of dairy production in kenya is from the smallholder production systems. The zero grazing results in higher milk yields per cow 1530 litrescow.
1597 1120 544 125 387 966 526 543 1159 773 1247 1181 1396 1215 519 1267 1181 1268 1192 631 1500 1352 592 1493 112 919 704 345 387 405 28 1002 886 454 9 1419 630 849 1389