Indigenous technical knowledge of feeds and feeding practices beef cattle in western hararghe, Ethiopia

The objective of this study is to assess the indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) of feeds and feeding practices of cattle fattening in four districts in Ethiopia. For this purpose, two kebeles (smallest administrative unit) one from highland and the other mid-altitude agro-ecology were selected per study district. Data was collected with structured questionnaire, focus group discussion and personal observation. Totally 160 respondents were involved in the study. The result of the feed assessment identified mainly crop thinning of maize and sorghum, local grass and weeds in the wet and crop residues and grass hay in the dry season. Comparing the highland and mid altitude agro-ecology, more number of respondents in the highland used locally available feeds than their midland counterparts during wet season. However, during the dry season, more number of respondents in the mid altitude used crop residues than the highlanders. Cut and carry system of feeding was practiced by 94.4% of the respondents. Chopping of green stalk and dried stover of maize and sorghum, wetting the chopped stover with salty water, wilting leguminous crops, cooking cereal seeds, mixing agro-industrial byproducts with straw and other indigenous practices were common. Scientific way of feed formulation and treatment of crop residues with additives were recommended.