An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania

A survey study was conducted to assess the influence of altitude and socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder dairy farmers in adaptation to feeding practices (FPs) and their ultimate effect on the nutrition of dairy cattle and milk production. One hundred and twenty dairy farmers from highland (60) and lowland (60) zones of Hai district, Tanzania were interviewed. Feed samples were collected for evaluation of proximate and Van Soest composition, in vitro dry matter (INVDMD) and organic matter (INVOMD) digestibility for three FPs, namely zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3). Data on milk yield was obtained from the farmer record books and database of African Asian Dairy Genetic Gain program. Most respondents from both highland (88%) and lowland (53%) zones were practicing zero grazing (FP1) than grazing plus supplementation. High level of education, farming experience of >10 years, and dairying plus other sources of livelihood showed positive likelihood of influencing adaptation of zero grazing practice (FP1). Forage diets offered to cows under FP1 had lower mean values of crude protein (6.9%, CP) and metabolisable energy (5.01 MJ ME/kgDM) compared to other practices. Concentrate diets used in FP1 practice had higher CP (13.7%) compared to those in FP2 (10.9%). There was higher average milk yield from cows under FP1 in the highland (11.6 kg) compared to their counterparts. Cows under FP1 on the lowland had similar (P>0.05) average milk yield (8.7 kg) to those under FP2 in the highland zone (9.47 kg). Cows under FP3 in the lowland produced the lowest (P<0.05) milk yield of 4.61 kg. The study concluded that differences in socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and altitude zones have influence on the adaptation and domination of a specific feeding practice, which ultimately determines the level of performance of the dairy cattle. It is recommended that more studies are required to assess the influence of feeding and other management practices of dairy cows on the environmental effects.