Influence of Spacing on Performance of Elephant Grass (Pennisetum Purpureurm Schum) during the Year of Establishment in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

A STUDY was conducted using a split-plot design to determine the effect of within-row spacings of 90, 60 and 30cm at a constant 60cm inter-row distance on the forage yield and growth components of two elephant grass varieties, "Shika" and "Ngala", during establishment, at Shika in the northern guinea savanna of Nigeria. With closer spacing, dry matter (DM) yield increased from 11300 kg to 16700 kg /ha and 12300kg to 15300 kg/ha whilst crude protein (CP) yield increased from 517 kg to 644 kg/ha and 600 kg to 698 kg/ha, for "Shika" and "Ngala", respectively, during the wet season when most of the annual growth occurred. The data suggest that "Shika" was more sensitive to denser planting than "Ngala". The stem and the green leaf made the greatest contribution to forage yield during the growing season. However, the green leaf accounted for a greater proportion of yield during the dry season when DM production fell drastically and crude protein content attained a peak. Considerable stand mortality occasioned early July-planted "Ngala" and this provides evidence that it would not be beneficial to establish this more succulent variety at Shika until ample rainfall has been received during the growing season. The low DM content of 18 per cent in 2.6 m tall "Ngala" suggests that successful ensilage of this crop would necessitate pre-wilting. Wider spacing resulted in lower herbage yield and significantly greater weed competition.

The Natural Forages of Northern Nigeria I. Nitrogen and Mineral composition of Grasses and Browse from the Northern Guinea Savanna and Standing Hays from the different Savanna Zones

THE mineral status of nine native grass species and ten browse species from the Northern Guinea Savanna Vegetation was investigated together with the mineral Composition of standing hays from Daura and Kano areas of the Sudan Savanna, Bauchi ranch of the sub-Sudan, Samaru (Shika Kadama) of the Northern Guinea Savanna and Jos area of the Plateau vegetation, in Northern Nigeria. All forage types (grasses, browse and standing hays) which were sampled in April of 1975 were analysed for nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). The grass species included: Andropogon gayanus, A. ascinodis, Brachiaria jubata, Cynodon dactylon, Hyparthelia dissoluta, Pancium phragmitoides, Setaria anceps, Sporobolus pyramidalis and Urelytram muricatum, while the browse consisted of Adenodolichos panicu latus, Annogeissus leocarpus, Briddelia ferruginea, Crossopteryx febrifug, Dichrostachys cenerea (glometata), Khaya senegalensis, Mimosa pigra, Parinari curatellifolis, Psorospermum guineense, and Pterocarpus erinaceus. Both grass and browse species were leafy materials from among those Species considered to be highly consumed by cattle. in general, the average values for Na, P, and Zn in the grasses, browse and standing hays were inadequate for the nutritional needs of cattle one standing hays from all locations contained suboptimum amounts of N, Ca, P, K, Mg, Na and The Cu content of all three forage types was adequate for cattle nutrition. The grass and browse species contained adequate amounts of N, K, Mg and Cu. The trace elements and Ca and Mg tended to be more concentrated in the browse species than in the grass species. The opposite was true of K. Grasses, browse and standing hays contained equal amounts of Na. Similarly, the grass and browse species contained identical amounts of P. Supplementation of mineral concentrates to include Na, P, K, Ca and Zn was suggested.

THE INFLUENCE OF DATE OF PLANTING AND FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON GROWTH COMPONENTS OF COLUMBUS GRASS (SORGHUM ALMUM)

Trials were conducted at Gangora in the northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria during the 1990 and 1991 rainy seasons. The effects of date of planting (4th,14th, 24th June and 4th July) and levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 50,100, 150 and 200kg/ha) on growth components of Sorghum almum were investigated. Planting in mid-June (14th June) in 1990 and early-July (4th July) in 1991 resulted in superior stand established and dry matter yields (p<0.05) than other dates. In mid-June and early-July planting 14 day post-planting, plant densities were 7.0 and 9.0 culms/m2 while plant heights were 20.4 and 11.3cm for the respective years. It had high tillering capacity and irrespective of date of planting (except for early-June planting) plant densities by 56 days post-planting (DPP) were greater than 100 culms/m2. Plant height at this stage were greater than 100 culms/m2 and were generally above 200cm. ninety DPP the pasture was at full bloom/hard dough stage. Dm yields then ranged from 8.0 to 11.4 tDM/ha in 1990 and 9.6 to 14.7 tDM/ha in 1991. Similarly seed yield for the respective years were 894.7 and 836.3 kg/ha. Fertilizer application (p<0.05) plant vigour, tillering and dry matter yield up to the highest N applied. In the first years trial, plant density at 35 days post-planting ranged from 12.0 to 29.0 culms/m2 while in the second year the ranged was 13.0 to 26.0 culms/m2. The corresponding values at 56 DPP (i.e 42 days following N application) were 32.0 to 81.0 and 45.0 to 101.0 culms/m2. Dry matter yields rose steadily from 6.5 to 12.5 tDM/ha in 1990 and from 8.9 to 13.6 tDM/ha in 1991 as fertilizer was increased 0 to 200 kgN/ha. Seed yield during the same period for the respective years varied from 416.0 to 753.0kg/ha. This study has shown that planting between mid-June and early-July with fertilize application of 100 to 200 khN/ha favour S. almum establishment and production in the northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Foetal wastage in goats slaughtered in Zaria abattoir, Northern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

The study was carried out with the aim of determining the age and percentage wastage of foetus due to the slaughter of pregnant does in Zango Abattoir, Samaru, Zaria. Out of a total of 680 female goats slaughtered during three months (January to March, 1998), 275 (40.44%) of the were pregnant. From the pregnant uteri, 460 foetuses were recovered and used for the study. Out of the recovered foetuses 41.09, 21.82 and 37.09% were twins, triplets and single respectively. The weight as well as the crown-rump of the foetuses were measured and the results obtained were used to determine their estimated ages. It was found that the highest percentage (46.2%) 0f the foetuses fell within the first trimeter of pregnancy, while the second and third trimesters had 30% and 23.8% respectively. The regression equations and the results of the correlation analysis showed that the gestational age of the local breeds of goats can be accurately estimated by crown-rump measurement. It was concluded that complete lack of pregnancy dignostic test on does before slaughtering in the abattoirs resulted in heavy losses of foetuses which call to question the role of the veterinary personnel at the abattoir with the consequence reduction in the availability of animal protein in the country. The study also gave an insight into the use of two easily measured variables: foetal weight (FW) and crown rump lenght (CRL) as a means for age estimates in goats.

Effect of stocking rate on Rhodes grass-stylo pasture in Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria 3. Chemical composition

A grazing trail was conducted to evaluate the effect of five stocking rates 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 sheep/ha) on the chemical composition of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana)- Stylo (Stylosanthes guinanensis) pastures in Nigeria. The pastures were set stocked for 154-210 days over five grazing periods. Stocking rate had no significant (P>0.05) effect on the crude protein (CP), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium Mg) contents of the pasture components. The concentrations of CP, K and Ca declined as plants matured while the levels of CP, P and Ca in the stewm were short of the recommended levela for rams. Acid detergent lignin (ADL) and fibre (ADF) were not affected by stocking rate but the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of the components increased with stocking rate. The non-persistence of Style beyond one grazing period lowered the chemical composition of the pasture thus the need to incorporate more persistent legume(s) with the grass.

ECONOMICS OF TRADITIONAL CATTLE PRODUCTION IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

A survey to determine the economics of traditional cattle production among agropastoralists was carried out in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The survey covered 75 agropastoral households grouped into three categories viz: CI, CII and CIII for livestock activities and two groups GP1 and GP2 for cropping activities. The analytical framework used in the study include simple gross margin and multiple regression analysesResults of the study indicated that 66.67% of the respondents have lived in the study area for up to five years. Total variable cost (TVC) varied with the size of herd. TVC averaged N958.72/LU for CI, N818.48/LU for CII and N561.29/LU for CIII. The agropastoralits were making some profit in both livestock and cropping actiVities. Gross margin/LU averaged N967.28/LU N1,118.93/LU and N1,344.93/LU for farmers in CI, CII and CIII, respectively. The gross margins in cropping activities were N372.24/ha for GP1 and N480.18/ha for GP2. Inputs identified in cattle production were relevant in explaining variations in output. There was a decreasing return to scale in cattle production. There was also an inverse relationship between unit cost of production and size of herd. The above results indicated that a substantial increase in the income of the farmers was possible. This could be achieved through integrated crop/livestock productionproper herd management and adequate provision of supplementary feed for dry season cattle production.

Indigenous management of Dystocia in ruminant livestock of northern guinea savanna of Nigeria

This study, conducted in Bauchi and Zaria areas of the northern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria involved livestock that encountered problems during parturition Ninety eight Hausa-Fulani livestock holdings involving cattle, sheep and goats were investigated. The study focused on causes of and remedies for dystocia. The study showed that farmers have traditional means of handling difficult birth in ruminants. The identifiable causes of dystocia included age and size of dam, abnormal foetal presentation, poor health, multiple foetuses and weight and sex of the young. The management of this problem included the use of hand to correct foetal position, lubrication of the vulvo-vagina passage with mashed okra fruit for easy passage, and oral administration of solutions from native herbs, snake scales, potash and ashes.