Compiled by: David Ngunga A Report of Training Conducted on Improved forage production and Use to Dairy Farmers in Babati District, Tanzania 4 - 10 June,2017 Compiled by: David Ngunga Participants: 36 farmers from six Africa RISING action villages of Long, Sabilo, Seloto/Haysam Hallu,Matufa and Shaurimoyo No. Farmers by gender: 16 Male and 20 Female

Training outline Introduction Building good and, economic sound dairy cattle houses Common diseases found in small-scale dairy keepers Record Keeping Managing of improved forages, crop residues as means for improving dairy cattle diet Preparation of crop residue dairy based ration

Introduction Objective: Conduct a participatory training on improved dairy cattle management through; Building of dairy cattle houses Management of heifer and calves Feed (improved nappier grass forage, crop residue) handling and feeding Disease control Record keeping Formulation of crop residues/napier based ration

Output Small-scale farmers equipped skills and knowledge on improved dairy cattle management Presence of well and affordable constructed dairy cattle houses A well managed heifer and calf management to farmers Framers set up to improve Napier grass forage and use of crop residues as feed for ruminant animals Controlled dairy cow diseases in small-scale farming systems Improved record keeping in small-scale farming systems Effective utilization of crop residues as feed for dairy cattle under small-scale production systems

Building of improved and affordable cattle houses Why do they need houses? For protection – from predators and bad weather (too much heat or coldness especially for calves Hygiene – Clean dairy house reduce incidences of diseases like mastitis Easy management- milking, treatment and AI services Comfort – Animal stays in a good place A semi improved dairy cattle housing in Mawemairo village

Old cattle shed disadvantages Unhygienic Not durable Unprotected Poor manure collection No place for feed and water No drainage for urine A dairy cattle kept in unhygienic condition

Features of good dairy cattle house A well designed dairy cattle house should contain the following features:- Should have feed and water toughs Should have enough space for animals and future expansion Should have a well drainage system Should have crusher for treatment and servicing dairy cattle Separate calves and the mother (cow) Should allow air to circulate in and out of the house

Training in heifer and calf management Heifer provides replacements for old cows: Improvement of a herd is possible when culled cows are put back by a well fed, healthy, genetically superior, and properly managed heifer Choose a heifer by looking the following records Record of the bull served the dam Dam records, e.g. milk production Harsh cows are not friendly when milking Harsh cows are mostly succumbed with mastitis due to their habit of keeping milk in the udder Artificial insemination when applied to a heifer can contribute the most to genetic progress within the herd.

Livestock diseases and Control Diseases are threats and constraints limiting development of small- scale dairy cow production amongst many farmers. Farmers from Mawemairo/Matufa and Gichameda through participatory group discussion mentioned the following diseases as common in their areas and suggested the control to the diseases. East cost fever Anaplasmosis Mastitis Diarrhoea and pneumonia in calves Vaccinate the cow and calf to prevent them from becoming sick from ECF or dying from disease Immunization and vector control using acariside Optimise hygiene directly after birth Clean housing and bedding Proper milking of the cow Attention should be paid to nutrition, environment, sanitation and care of the new born calf

Farm record keeping (dairy cow) Why keep farm records? It is a fundamental basis for good management of dairy enterprise Types of records to be taken in the dairy farm Production records Health records of animals Financial transaction records in the dairy enterprise Advantages of taking records Records provides basis for evaluation of animals from past records hence helps in selection and culling animals Helps in assessing the past records and designing better breeding plans to check inbreeding, selecting superior parents and helps in better replacement and culling practices Helps in detection of abnormal conditions or disease status of the herd that leads to loss in body weight, loss in milk production e.t.c Helps in ascertaining the income and expenditure (economics) of dairy farm Helps in fixing proper prices of animal meant for purchase and sale Helps in overall better supervision and management of herd.

Formulation of crop residues/napier based rations The importance of formulating crop residue/napier based rations It is a good way to feed a balanced ration to dairy cows especially in the dry season Less wastage of feeds It is a labour saving especially to women who mostly tend the animals Helps farmer to plan for place to store feeds It encourages farmers to process feed

Recommendation from farmers Farmers revealed that the training conducted will enhance the followings: Management of the locally available livestock feeds that will determine animals performance which will lead to High animal production – Milk High productivity Increased profitability and impact on stable households income through selling of animals, and animal products