LSIL outputs

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/118178

Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems

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Feed balances for ruminant livestock: Gridded estimates for data constrained regions
(Journal Article, 2024-07) Fraval, Simon; Mutua, John Y.; Amole, Tunde A.; Tolera, Adugna; Feyisa, Tesfaye; Thornton, Philip K.; Notenbaert, An Maria Omer; Adesogan, Adegbola T.; Balehegn, Mulubrhan; Ayantunde, Augustine A.; Zampaligré, Nouhoun; Duncan, Alan J.
Demand for animal source foods and livestock feed are forecast to increase across sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, there is a need to estimate the availability of livestock feed to support decision making at local, sub-national and national levels. In this study we assess feed balances for ruminant livestock in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. Feed availability was estimated using remotely sensed products and detailed feed composition data. Feed requirements were estimated for maintenance, growth, lactation, gestation and locomotion using a data intensive model. Biomass available as animal feed was estimated to be 8.6 tonnes dry matter (DM) per hectare in the Ethiopian highlands and midlands, 3.2 tonnes DM per hectare in the Ethiopian lowlands, 2.9 tonnes DM per hectare in Burkina Faso’s Sudanian agro-ecological zone and 1.0 tonne DM per hectare in the Sahel. The energy requirements of lactating cows were estimated to be 62.1 Megajoules (MJ) per animal per day in the Ethiopian highlands and midlands, 62.7 MJ in the Ethiopian lowlands, 88.5 MJ in Burkina Faso’s Sudanian agro-ecological zone and 53.1 MJ per animal per day in the Sahel. Feed scarcity hotspots are most prominently located in the Ethiopian highlands and the Sahelian agro-ecological zone of Burkina Faso. Demand side policy and investment initiatives can address hotspots by influencing herd sizes, nutritional requirements and herd mobility. Supply side policy and investment initiatives can secure existing feed resources, develop new sources of feed and incentivise trade in feed resources. Improving feed balances will be of value to decision makers with the aims of optimising livestock productivity, minimising exposure to climatic shocks and minimising greenhouse gas emission intensity.
Study protocol to assess aflatoxin M1 health risks versus benefits of dairy consumption in Ethiopian children: An epidemiological trial and risk-benefit analysis
(Journal Article, 2024-04-28) Wu, Felicia; Headey, Derek D.; Hirvonen, Kalle; Pokharel, Ashish; Tessema, Masresha
Introduction In Sidama, Ethiopia, animal-source foods can be difficult to access. Milk has important nutrients for child growth, but carries the risk of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination. AFM1 is a metabolite of the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in dairy feed; cows secrete AFM1 in milk when their feed contains AFB1 produced by Aspergillus fungi in maize, nuts and oilseeds. It is unknown whether AFM1 compromises child growth and health. Methods and analysis This protocol paper describes our study in Sidama to determine the impact of milk consumption and AFM1 on child growth in the first 18 months of life. We will collect baseline and end-line data on dairy production, socioeconomic and nutritional factors of 1000 dairy-owning households with children ages 6–18 months at baseline; and gather samples of milk and dairy feed and child anthropometrics. We will conduct phone interviews every 6 months to ascertain changes in practices or child health. Dairy feed will be tested for AFB1; milk for AFM1, pathogens and nutrients. Controlling for herd size, socioeconomic, nutritional and behavioural factors, we will determine the association between child anthropometrics and milk consumption, as well as AFM1 exposure. We will examine whether AFM1 exposure affects child growth in the first 18 months of life, and weigh the benefits and risks of milk consumption. Ethics and dissemination The protocol is approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI-IRB-481–2022), Michigan State University (STUDY00007996) and International Food Policy Research Institute (DSGD-23–0102). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants, who may withdraw from the study at any time. Confidentiality of collected data will be given high priority during each stage of data handling. The study’s findings will be disseminated through stakeholder workshops, local and international conferences, journal articles and technical reports.
Feed handling practices, aflatoxin awareness and children's milk consumption in the Sidama region of southern Ethiopia
(Journal Article, 2024-06-01) Anato, Anchamo; Headey, Derek D.; Hirvonen, Kalle; Pokharel, Ashish; Tessema, Masresha; Wu, Felicia; Baye, Kaleab
Consumption of milk is linked to improved nutrient intake and reduced risk of child malnutrition in low and middle-income countries. However, these benefits are contingent on the safety and quality of the milk. Milk consumption may alleviate the widespread risk of malnutrition in rural Ethiopia, but milk-borne contaminants may also compromise child health. We aimed to: i) identify the types of dairy feeds used, their storage conditions, and potential risk of aflatoxin contamination; ii) assess stakeholders' knowledge about aflatoxin contamination along the value chain; and iii) assess parental practices on feeding milk to infants and young children. This qualitative study was conducted in the Sidama region, southern Ethiopia. In-depth interviews (n = 12) and key-informant interviews (n = 18) were conducted with actors along the dairy value chain. Focus-group discussions were conducted with farmers (9FGD/n = 129) and child caregivers (9FGD/n = 122). Study participants were selected to represent a rural-urban gradient, as well as low- and high- dairy cow holdings. We found that while animal-feed processors and their distribution agents had relatively good knowledge about aflatoxin, farmers and retailers did not. Feed storage conditions were poor. Many respondents linked moldy feeds to animal health but not to human health. Farmers' feed choice was influenced by cost, seasonality, and herd size. Small-holding farmers had limited access to commercial feed. Children's consumption of milk was limited to skim milk, as butter was extracted and sold for income. The high cost of dairy products also led some parents to dilute skim milk with water before feeding children, compromising the nutritional value and safety of the milk. Our findings underscore the need to address the gaps in aflatoxin and food safety knowledge, improve storage conditions, and ensure the availability of quality feed to increase the sector's productivity, but most importantly to protect consumers' health and well-being, especially infants and young children.
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, and the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in dairy cattle and camels under pastoral production system
(Journal Article, 2024-01-01) Hunduma, D.; Amenu, Kebede; Desta, Hiwot; Grace, Delia; Agga, G.E.; Dego, O.K.
Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus are common foodborne pathogens. We determined the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in feces and milk and the prevalence of S. aureus in milk from dairy cattle and camels in the Borana pastoral community in the Southern Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Paired individual cow composite (pooled from all quarters in equal proportions) milk and fecal samples were collected from cows (n = 154) and camels (n = 158). Samples were cultured on bacterial isolation and identification media. E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella isolates were further tested for susceptibility against nine antimicrobial drugs. Different risk factors associated with hygienic milking practices were recorded and analyzed for their influence on the prevalence of these bacteria in milk and feces. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in feces were 3.9% and 8.4%, respectively, in cows, and 0.6% and 2.5%, respectively, in camels. E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella were detected in the composite milk samples of 2.6% and 3.9% of the cows, respectively, and 0% and 1.3% of the camels, respectively. S. aureus was detected in composite milk samples of 33.4% of the cows and 41.7% of the camels. All E. coli O157:H7 (n = 11) and Salmonella (n = 25) isolates from both animal species and sample types were resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug. Multidrug resistance was observed in 70% (7/10) of the E. coli O157:H7 fecal and milk isolates from cows and 33.3% (2/6) of the Salmonella fecal and milk isolates from camels. The prevalence of these bacteria in feces and milk was not affected by risk factors associated with milking practices. Given the very close contact between herders and their animals and the limited availability of water for hand washing and udder cleaning, these bacteria are most likely present in all niches in the community. Improving community awareness of the need to boil milk before consumption is a realistic public health approach to reducing the risk of these bacteria.
Simulated economic and nutritional impacts of irrigated fodder and crossbred cows on farm households in southern Ethiopia
(Journal Article, 2023-09) Bizimana, Jean-Claude; Bezabih, Melkamu; Adie, Aberra; Kiker, Gregory A.
The livestock sector is one of the main pillars of Ethiopia’s economy. Despite its importance, several constraints related to livestock production such as low productivity, remain a major barrier to the development of the livestock sector in Ethiopia. Improving animal feed resources and breeds can have impacts on both household income and nutrition. Small scale irrigation (SSI) technologies are used to grow and improve yields of fodder with the purpose to feed animals, generate income and improve human nutrition through the consumption of animal products. A farm level economic and nutrition simulation model (FARMSIM) is used to evaluate the potential nutritional and economic impacts of the SSI technologies on households in southern Ethiopia, Lemo district. In the baseline scenario, fodder is grown on limited land with minimal input while in alternative scenarios, more land and input are allocated to fodder during the dry season due to irrigation. Results show that the annual average profit under alternative scenarios is almost twice that of the baseline. However, the distribution results highlight the risk associated with high production costs from SSI technologies investments. The nutrition results show that the quantities of products consumed by families in alternative scenarios meet the minimum daily requirements for calories, proteins, iron, and vitamin A but were insufficient for calcium and fat. A large deficit in vitamin A is observed under the baseline scenario, in addition to calcium and fat. However, forgoing some income to increase the quantity of animal products consumed at home led to nutrition improvement in Lemo district.
The Livestock System in Nepal–An Overview
(Report, 2022) Varijakshapanicker, Padmakumar
The Livestock System in Niger–An Overview
(Report, 2022) Karimou, M.
The Livestock System in Rwanda–An Overview
(Report, 2022) Ngamije, F.
Understanding how food safety risk perception influences dietary decision making among women in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: A qualitative study
(Journal Article, 2022-03) Brown, S.M.; Hung Nguyen-Viet; Grace, Delia; Ty, C.; Samkol, P.; Sokchea, H.; Pov, S.; Young, M.F.
Objectives To determine women’s perception of the risk of food safety and how it relates to diet, health and decision making as part of formative research for a market-based intervention that aims to improve the safety of animal-source foods sold in informal markets. Design Qualitative study including in-depth personal interviews with 24 caregivers were conducted and complemented with a second follow-up PhotoVoice interview, which allowed the women to photograph their meals and perceptions of food safety and nutrition. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis in MAXQDA. Participants were purposively sampled from a larger Safe Food, Fair Food for Cambodia study, conducted from May to August 2018. Setting Urban and periurban neighborhoods of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Participants 24 female caregivers (mothers and grandmothers) of children under age 5, each interviewed twice. Findings A primary food safety concern expressed was that chemicals (pesticides and other agricultural additives) in animal-source foods, fruits and vegetables may impact the health of their families by causing diarrhoea and problems during pregnancy. This fear created a lack of trust in markets, which influenced their food purchasing behaviours and strategies for making the food safer for their families. These mitigation strategies, including food selection and cleaning, vary among the women but are perceived as important to be able to provide their families with what they define as safe meals. Conclusions Interventions that wish to decrease rates of foodborne illness and increase animal source food consumption should also address the belief that the food system has been compromised by the addition of pesticides and agricultural additives.
Identification of suitable areas for fodder production in Ethiopia
(Journal Article, 2022-06) Worqlul, Abeyou W.; Dile, Yihun T.; Bezabih, Melkamu; Adie, Aberra; Srinivasan, R.; Lefore, Nicole; Clarke, Neville
Despite Ethiopia’s significant livestock population, the largest in Africa, productivity is constrained by the seasonality of feed quality and quantity. Developing improved fodder production systems can contribute to poverty reduction goals and thereby enhance social-ecological resilience through building risk buffering assets. Therefore, this study focuses on evaluating the suitability of lands for selected fodder crops in Ethiopia applying GIS-based Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) techniques and accessing the irrigation potential of the shallow groundwater. Groundwater data collected from the British Geological Survey (BGS) was used to assess the groundwater irrigation potential. The fodder crops selected were Napier (Pennisetum purpureum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), oats (Avena sativa), vetch (Vicia sativa), and desho (Pennisetum pedicellatum). The key factors that significantly affect land suitability for fodder production evaluated include climate (rainfall and evapotranspiration), physical land features (land use, soil, and slope), and market access (livestock population and proximity to roads). The factors were weighted with a pairwise comparison matrix followed by reclassification and overlaying to identify suitable areas for irrigated fodder production. The results indicated that ∼ 31% of the country (∼350,500 km2) is highly suitable for producing desho, followed by vetch (23%), Napier (20%), Alfalfa (13%), and Oats (12%). The basin level analysis indicated that the Abbay river basin has the largest suitable area for Napier and Oats production while the Genale-Dawa River basin has the largest suitable area for alfalfa, vetch, and desho production. The analysis also indicated that the suitable area has access to groundwater that could be accessed with simple water-lifting technologies (≤30 m from the surface). This study provides useful insights for decision-makers, practitioners, and the private sector to prioritize and scale fodder production in Ethiopia.
Forage conservation in sub-Saharan Africa: Review of experiences, challenges, and opportunities
(Journal Article, 2022-01) Balehegn, Mulubrhan; Ayantunde, Augustine A.; Amole, Tunde A.; Njarui, Donald; Nkosi, B.D.; Müller, F.L.; Meeske, R.; Tjelele, T.J.; Malebana, I.M.; Madibela, O.R.; Boitumelo, W.S.; Lukuyu, Ben A.; Weseh, A.; Minani, E.; Adesogan, Adegbola T.
Forage conservation is an important potential solution to seasonal variation in feed quality and quantity and herder‐farmer conflicts in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Considerable variations exist in the type of forages conserved and the preservation methods across SSA. Hay from cultivated forages is commonly made with mechanical mowers and balers by large‐scale commercial farms. In contrast, smallholder farmers, who dominate farming on the continent, make hay from natural pastures and straw from crop residues or stockpiled forage. Mechanized harvesting and storing of silage are also practiced by commercial farmers in various countries including South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Smallholder farmers rarely make silage, despite repeated recommendations about its potential to bridge the dry season feed gap. This is due to the limited resources, knowledge, and skills. Hay and silage produced by smallholders is typically poor in quality due to use of lower quality forages, improper storage methods, and lack of an economic incentive because feed prices do not reflect quality in most regions. This paper discusses the status of forage conservation across SSA and recommends strategic interventions and technologies to improve the quantity, quality, safety, pricing, and utilization of preserved forages in SSA. Key deductions include the need to raise awareness about their role in bridging the feed gap, to build capacity and invest in appropriate technology, to optimize their production and use, to develop mechanisms to relate prices to quality, and to incentivize women and youth and the private sector to engage further in making and selling preserved forages.
Livestock feed resources in the West African Sahel
(Journal Article, 2022-01) Amole, Tunde A.; Ayantunde, Augustine A.; Balehegn, Mulubrhan; Adesogan, Adegbola T.
Limited supply of quality feed is the most important factor limiting livestock productivity in many sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries. Having a systematic inventory of available feed resources, identifying main challenges and potentials for improvement is the first step towards designing development strategies to improve feed quality and quantity. The objective of this study was to review the available feed resources and their quality in West African Sahel across different agro‐ecological zones and to identify the research gaps and strategies to improve feed resource availability. The West African Sahelian zone is home to 135 million people who herd 173 million head of ruminant livestock. The main feed resources for grazing ruminants are pastures and crop residues; commercially formulated feeds are increasingly being used in poultry and pig production, particularly in peri‐urban areas. Feed resources for livestock are diverse and vary markedly across agro‐ecological zones in the West African Sahel and across seasons in terms of type, quantity, and quality. Given that crop residues are among the most important feed resources, there is need to invest in promoting adoption of proven methods for improving their quality and preserving it. Given poorly developed feed markets in the Sahelian rural areas and cities, strengthening the feed value chain is critical for improving the feed resource base in West Africa. Additional critically important needs are to increase awareness about the importance of feed quality, to create quality‐based feed marketing systems, and to appreciate and enhance women's roles in feed production.
Gender and livestock feed research in developing countries: A review
(Journal Article, 2022-01) Harris-Coble, Lacey; Balehegn, Mulubrhan; Adesogan, Adegbola T.; Colverson, Kathleen E.
Livestock productivity and the resulting economic benefits for smallholder farmers are constrained by a limited supply of quality feed. Gender influences both the drivers and constraints for feed technology adoption as well as the distribution of benefits from feed technologies; however, research with gender‐disaggregated data related to livestock feed practices and technologies has not previously been systematically collected and analyzed. This review examines the current scope and patterns in the literature and highlights opportunities that could benefit future livestock feeding research. The review identified 72 articles with gender‐disaggregated data related to livestock feeding, which were analyzed thematically based on the type of gender data collected: division of labor (44 articles), decision making (eight articles), knowledge (nine articles), and technology adoption (11 articles). Across nine different feed activities, women had a comparatively higher level of involvement than men in 49% of the observations (81), whereas men were more involved than women in 48% of the observations (79); equal involvement accounted for the remaining 3% of the observations (n = 7). However, individual feed tasks showed stronger involvement trends toward men or women. Women were more likely to be involved in the provision of feed to livestock than men (69% of observations, 24 observations), whereas men had higher levels of participation than women in fodder collection (54%, 19 observations) and grazing and herding (65%, 33 observations). Future research on women's roles in feed‐related activities could help to improve adoption, scaling, and sustainability of feed improvement interventions through the use of gender‐sensitive data collection tools.
Herbage accumulation and nutritive value of mixtures of deshograss and Vicia spp. in southern Ethiopia
(Journal Article, 2022-01) Abera, M.; Tolera, Adugna; Nurfeta, A.; Geleti, D.
Grass and legume mixtures work well, but there are no data on the mixed planting of desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) and Vicia species. A study was conducted to investigate whether forage dry matter yield (DMY) and quality can be improved by growing Vicia species in mixtures with desho grass. The experimental layout followed a randomized complete block design with four replications, where the treatments consisted of pure stands of three Vicia species Vicia dasycarpa, V. villosa, and V. sativa, desho grass and mixture of desho grass and each of the Vicia species. The results showed a positive effect of intercropping leading to greater herbage accumulation than expected from grass species sown in sole cropping. Growing Vicia species with desho grass resulted in higher yields and higher land equivalent ratio (LER), as well as increased crude protein (CP) content and digestibility compared to pure stand desho grass. Intercropping smooth vetch, hairy vetch, and common vetch gave 63, 67, and 48% more forage DMY than the pure stand desho grass, respectively. When desho grass was intercropped with Vicia species LER was greater by 9, 55, and 58% for common vetch, smooth vetch, and hairy vetch, respectively, over pure stand desho grass. Therefore, it can be concluded that growing a mixture of Vicia species with desho grass is a suitable practice to improve forage DM production and quality, and farmers can use land more efficiently by growing Vicia species with desho grass.
Assessment of stovers of dual-purpose pearl millet varieties as feed for goats in the West African Sahel
(Journal Article, 2021) Umutoni, Clarisse; Bado, Vincent; Whitbread, Anthony M.; Ayantunde, Augustine A.
Fodder development in sub-Saharan Africa: An introduction
(Journal Article, 2022-01) Boote, K.J.; Adesogan, Adegbola T.; Balehegn, M.; Duncan, Alan J.; Muir, J.P.; Dubeux, J.C.B.; Ríos, E.F.
Livestock systems play a key role in the sustainability and livelihood of sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). The human population in SSA is rapidly increasing, resulting in steady growth in the demand for animal‐sourced foods (ASF). Most current agricultural production practices in SSA coupled with poor management, health challenges and indigenous breeds, result in low crop and livestock productivity and often do not meet local demands. To improve productivity, locally adapted technologies and management practices need to be widely adopted. This special issue is a collection of contributions addressing major aspects of crop and livestock systems in SSA. Key topics addressed include the present status of feedstuff availability in SSA, improved fodder production and utilization practices, new cultivars, soil management, forage conservation, use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) tools to measure forage nutritive value, and social and economic aspects of crop‐livestock systems. The overarching goal of this special issue is to provide insightful information that can be used for the future development and implementation of efficient and sustainable integrated systems. SSA will have a key role in feeding itself and the world in the future, and livestock systems and cropping practices are crucial components of this process.
Ethiopia’s Livestock Systems: Overview and Areas of Inquiry
(Report, 2021) Mekuriaw, Zeleke; Harris-Coble, Lacey
Proceedings of the Safe Food, Fair Food for Cambodia final workshop held 21-22 June 2021
(Conference Proceedings, 2021-06-22) International Livestock Research Institute
Safe Food, Fair Food for Cambodia
(Video, 2019-10-24) International Livestock Research Institute
Perceived neighborhood food access is associated with consumption of animal-flesh food, fruits and vegetables among mothers and young children in peri-urban Cambodia
(Journal Article, 2022-03) Duong, M.-C.; Hung Nguyen-Viet; Grace, Delia; Ty, C.; Sokchea, H.; Sina, V.; Young, M.F.
Objective: To examine whether mothers' perceived neighborhood food access is associated with their own and their young children's consumption of animal-flesh food, fruits and vegetables in peri-urban areas of Cambodia. Design: A cross-sectional survey measured food consumption frequency and perceived neighborhood food access, the latter including six dimensions of food availability, affordability, convenience, quality, safety and desirability. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between food access and food consumption. Setting: Peri-urban districts of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Participants: 198 mothers of children between 6 to 24 months old. Results: Over 25% of the mothers and 40% of the children had low consumption (< once a day) of either animal-flesh food or fruits and vegetables. Compared with perceived high food access, perceived low food access was associated with an adjusted 5.6-fold and 4.3-fold greater odds of low animal-flesh food consumption among mothers (95% CI 2.54, 12.46) and children (95% CI 2.20, 8.60) respectively. Similarly, relative to perceived high access, perceived low food access was associated with 7.6-times and 5.1-times higher adjusted odds of low fruits and vegetables consumption among mothers (95% CI 3.22, 18.02) and children (95% CI 2.69, 9.83) respectively. Conclusions: Mothers' perceived neighborhood food access was an important predictor of their own and their young children's nutrient-rich food consumption in peri-urban Cambodia. Future work is needed to confirm our findings in other urban settings and examine the role of neighborhood food environment on the consumption of both nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor food.

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