1. Compiled by: David Ngunga
A Report of Training Conducted on Improved forage production and Use to Dairy Farmers in Babati District, Tanzania
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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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