Abstract: Different species and varieties of fodder oats and vetches were identified to successfully adapt and perform in the high lands of Bale. However, their feeding value was not well evaluated. Therefore, animal experiment was conducted using thirty five yearling intact male Arsi-Bale sheep with initial body weight of 21.4±0.6 Kg (Mean± SD) with the objective of investigating the varietal differences of vetch hay on feed intake, digestibility, body weight change and carcass characteri...
Abstract: Livestock are still the major vehicle to support pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods in terms of food security and income generation in eastern Ethiopia. However, climate variability is negatively affecting the livestock systems through reducing water and feed resources. In this context, failure to timely understanding and responding to this environmental influence under smallholder conditions would lead to worst scenarios on livestock production and thereby affecting the livest...
Abstract: Information on significant contributions of agroforestry practices for natural resource conservation and factors affecting adoption of these practices by farmers in the North Bench district, Bench Maji Zone, is scant. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective to assess the factors affecting adoption of agroforestry practices by farm households. Farm household head data on demographic, socio-economic, institutional and psychological and physical factors were collected f...
Abstract: The study was conducted at Ambo University using twenty five Horro sheep with initial body weight of 16.84±0.23kg (mean±SD). The objectives of the experiment was to evaluate effect of replacing concentrate mix with Lablab purpureus hay on feed intake, digestibility, live weight gain, and carcass characteristics of Horro sheep fed natural pasture hay as basal diet as well as to assess the economy of replacing concentrate mix with Lablab purpureus(LP)hay. At the end of feeding tria...
Abstract: Climate change causes a serious problem in Ethiopia in general and more so in the study area where people’s livelihoods depend on subsistence rain-fed farming. Effective adaptation to current changes in climatic condition is the key to securing food production and livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the existing adaptation strategies and explore the determinants of the adaptation strategies choice of smallholder farmers in response ...
INTRODUCTION Small ruminant production is an important agricultural activity and has a substantial contribution to smallholder farmers in generating income and securing food in developing countries (Kosgey et al., 2006). In Ethiopia, like other developing countries in sub Saharan Africa, small ruminant production is a major component of the livestock sector. According to CSA (2015) report, the total small ruminant population for the country is estimated to be about 58.4 million, out of which ...
Abstract: This experiment was conducted with the objectives of determining the effect of harvesting stages on agronomic traits, herbage yield, chemical composition, In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and In vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and In sacco rumen dry matter degradability of Sudan grass mixed with, Lablab in Faafan zone, Ethiopia. The study was executed using 3 x 3 factorial arrangements in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in plot si...
Abstract: Farmers face a continued challenge in accessing agricultural information and technologies due to several economic, social, cultural and environmental factors. This study set out to assess Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Extension Services in Aweday Rural Kebeles. The specific objectives were to assess the status of farmers’ access to agricultural extension services and to evaluate the factors that influence their access to agricultural extension services in Aweday. The sampling...
Abstract: This study was conducted at Haramaya University ‘Rare’ research site to evaluate morphological characteristics, dry matter yield, and chemical composition of Desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) as affected by vetch intercropping and harvesting stage. The experiment was arranged in a 3*3 factorial using a Randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments comprise sole Vetch, Desho*Vetch intercrop, and sole Desho grass and three harvesting stages (60, 90, and 120 days aft...
Abstract: This study was conducted at Haramaya University ‘Rare’ research site with an objective to determining the effects of intercropping vetch and harvesting stages on morphological characteristics, dry matter yield and chemical composition of brachiaria grass using a three factor factorial in RCBD with three replications. The three factors were 1) harvesting stages (HS) with five levels: 60, 90 and 120 day, 60 and 90 day of regrowth, 2) five-levels of intercropping: sole basilisk, s...
Abstract: The main input of nutrients in agroforestry system is achieved through decomposition of tree biomass, mainly from foliage litter. Foliage litter sourced from tree component shows considerable quality variation among species. Hence, better management and sustainable production within agroforestry land use system remain on the selection of tree/shrub species having efficient nutrient return capabilities through decomposition of foliage litter. A study was conducted to determine the r...
Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary inclusion of Tossign (Thymus schimperi Ronninger) as natural feed additives in ration to modulate rumen fermentation and improve productivity of dairy cows. Eight multiparous early lactating crossbred (Holstein Fresian × Borana) dairy cows of parity two through five with similar live weight and milk production were selected for the study. Treatments were dietary inclusion of the powder of edible leaves and twigs of thyme (Thym...
Abstract: Indigenous tree species have an essential value in ecosystems however, most tree planting initiatives have promoted exotic species because of less understanding on their actual potential. This study was conducted in grazing parkland agroforestry system in Guduru district, Western Ethiopia to examine the effect of three indigenous tree species; Acacia abyssinica, Croton macrostachyus, Ficus sur and their canopy cover on herbaceous diversity, biomass production and selected soil phys...
Abstract: his study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of pumpkin seed(Cucurbitaceae) in the dieton egg production, fertility, hatchability, egg quality, embryonic mortality and economic benefit of white leghorn layers at Haramaya University Poultry Farm. A total of 128 White Leghorn layer at an age of 26 weeks were randomly assigned in to 4 treatments diets in completely randomized design with 4 replications, using deep litter housing system.The four treatment rati...
Abstract: A study was conducted in Kurfa Chele District of East Hararghe Zone with the objective of identifying major browse species as livestock feed and evaluate their herbage biomass yield, chemical composition and IVDMD in wet and dry season. Six rural Kebeles were purposively selected for the study. A total of 90 farmers, 15 from each rural Kebeles were randomly selected as respondents. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Survey data were analyzed by SPSS software, w...