FODDER CONSERVATION
FODDER conservation is a treatment given to a fodder preserve for a period. Fodder conservation is carried out because the preserved fodder as a higher feed value for animals than grazing for much of the dry season.
Overgrazing as it is always a case among our traditional cattle farmers is one of the causes of natural pasture deterioration.
This also can be referred to so many animals grazing on a piece of land for a long time resulting in vegetation being depleted, leaving the area almost bare. Animals would not leave anything as that would be the only alternative source of food.
Animal production under traditional cattle farmers is directly related to the condition of the natural pasture on which these animals are dependent upon. With such conditions this means a smaller income for the farmers.
However, good produc
tion can be realised when animals are grazing material which is in the productive stage. As was mentioned in
the last article, the field extension officer has to train the cattle farmers as to the way of proper utilisation of such feed material.
To maintain that natural pasture, to its most productive stage or to improve it to the stage where the feed material would be available to the animals, the farmers must understand the issues that favour the natural pasture.
Grazing cattle can affect pasture growth considerably. Therefore, with this kind of situation persistent pasture plants are worth to be preserved by controlling the grazing or utilisation of the natural pasture on which their cattle feed on.
To maintain vigorous vegetative growth and reproduction, it is necessary that plants have access at all times to adequate carbohydrates for growth.
Carbohydrates are manufactured in the green leaves during photosynthesis and provide the energy and structure material necessary for growth.
At certain times of the year especially during summer periods, if the plants are not too severely defoliated, the photosynthetic processes in the leaves would provide a steady and adequate flow of carbohydrate.
The energy necessary for production of new growth must be provided by the reserve carbohydrates which were stored in the stem bases and roots during the previous autumn.
This now tells us that natural pasture grass and other browsable plants by the cattle have sufficient leaves on the plant to store adequate carbohydrates the following growing period and ensure that there is sufficient growth before grazing starts.
Making hay is labour intensive for a small cattle farmer, without machines. Simple tools can be used with the help of the field extension officer to store the fodder that can be preserved for animals unable to cover long distances to common grazing areas in any community.
A simple tripod can be introduced using poles which can readily be found in the bush for this purpose. Introduction of such innovation would benefit the rural cattle farmer a lot.
Good quality natural grass hay is valuable as a fodder reserve in case of loss of grazing through fire or drought. This will also be valuable for animals that are weak and the very young that cannot cover long distances to grazing ground during periods of severe scarcity of feed.
The natural pasture that is low in quality and quantity gives low production and as such should be reserved for beef cattle and to be specific the traditional cattle.
Dairy cattle which usually are maintained on good management should not be introduced to low quality feed this would bring down production and low income would be realised. For such improved grass hay has to be conserved since they need to even conserve energy for milk production.
On any grazing land bush control must be actively suppressed to reduce plant overgrowth and encourage grass re-growth for the animals. Fire can be used after some years to control young bushes.
For the lack of proper tools when it comes to gathering grass for fodder conservation, sickles and slashers can be used on small farms. If dambos are near, these can be used especially during the dry season.
A dambo is a piece of land that is usually poorly drained but gives good grass growth during the dry season. It can be a source of good fodder for the animals during the critical period of the year.