CURRENT NUTRIENT RESOURCE CHARACTERIZATION AND THE LIMITATIONS OF PASTORAL CATTLE PRODUCERS IN NIGERIA

^*Kubkomawa I. H., Ogundu U. E., Okoli I. C., Florence Ondieki-Mwaura and Udedibie A. B. I.

Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Accepted December 02, 2016

The objective of the study was to determine the current feed resources characterization and constraints faced by pastoral cattle producers in the guinea savannah zone of North-Eastern Nigeria. Seasonal feed resources characterization and constraints faced by the cattle producers were determined by questionnaires, direct field observation and interviewing of the cattle producers on herd basis. The study revealed that, during late rainy season (July to September) and early dry season (October to December), 70.00 - 90.00% of farmers depended on natural grasses as sources of nutrients to their cattle. While during the late dry (January to March) and early rainy (April to June) seasons, about 60.00 to 85.00% of cattle herds rely more on crop residues, by-products and browses to supply the nutrient needs of their animals. The study showed that, 21 forage grasses were grazed by cattle during the wet periods across the three study locations. Thus, some of the forages apart from being used as livestock feeds are also consumed by humans as food and medicine. Other uses of forages by indigenous livestock producers include construction of shelters, tents, roofing, beddings, mats and fuel. The study showed that, 19 common forage legumes are grazed by cattle during the wet periods, with little differences in plant composition across the three study locations. The results revealed that, 12 crop residues and 7 by-products were commonly eaten by cattle during dry periods as supplements to lean feed resources. The results also showed very few differences between residues and by-products used at the three study locations. The results of this study also revealed 10 common tree browses that serve as dry periods feed resources in the study locations. The study showed that, 70.00 to 90.00% of the cattle producers in the three locations depended solely on natural flowing streams and rivers for the supply of water to their cattle during late rainy (July to September) and early dry (October to December) seasons. It was observed that, during these periods, the streams and rivers still have abundant running waters. However, during the late dry (January to March) and early rainy (April to June) seasons, about 65.00 to 70.00% of cattle herds relied on ponds, dams and wells to meet their water requirements, with few having access to hand pump boreholes and tap water. Chief among the constraints identified by pastoralists was diminishing natural resources characterized by shrinking land due to expansion in arable farming, land excavations for construction, industrialization and mining activities which have resulted in shortage of natural forage lands for livestock grazing. There's also seasonality in feed and water supply which greatly affect performance, market value of cattle products and the economic status of pastoralists in the zone since they constitute a major socio-economic group in Nigeria.

Key words: Feed Resource, Characterization, Constraints, Pastoral, Cattle, Producers, Nigeria.

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