9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.5 - ANIMAL FEEDING

  

ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.5 - ANIMAL FEEDING

 

The availability of fodder is one of the limiting factors in animal husbandry. Unlike landless systems in conventional farming, organic husbandry should be mainly based on the fodder produced on the farm itself. As is the case with humans, there is a direct link between the quantity and composition of the food and the health status of the animals.

 

FOOD REQUIREMENTS OF ANIMALS

If farm animals are to be productive (milk, eggs, meat etc.), it is important that they get suitable food in enough quantities. If the fodder production of one‘s farm is limited (which usually is the case), it might be economically valid to keep less animals but supply them with sufficient food. 

The appropriate quantity and the mix of feed items will of course depend on the type of animal, but also on its main use (e.g. chicken for meat or egg production, cattle for milk, meat or draft etc.). In milk production for example, cows producing milk should be given fresh grass and possibly other feed items of enough protein content. On the same diet, draught animals would rapidly become exhausted.

A balanced diet will keep an animal healthy and productive. Whether or not a farm animal receives the appropriate amount and kind of fodder usually can be seen by the shine of its hair or feathers. For ruminants, a majority of the fodder should consist of roughage (grass, leaves). If concentrates or supplements are used (e.g. agricultural by-products and wastes), they should not contain growth promoters and other synthetic substances. Instead of buying expensive concentrates, there are a variety of leguminous plants rich in protein which can be grown in the farm as cover crop, hedges or trees. If mineral content in the available fodder is not sufficient to satisfy the animal‘s requirements, mineral salt bricks or similar feed supplements can be used as long as they do not contain synthetic additives.

 

TIPS of the pictur

A variety of fodder grasses, both for shed feeding and pasturing

Leaves and twigs of leguminous trees are rich in protein and available also in dry season

VARIETIES OF FODDER GRASSES AND LEGUMINOUS TREE PLANTS USED AS FODDER FOR CATTLE AND GOATS

 

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 UFUGAJI – 9.5 - KULISHA WANYAMA

 

Upatikanaji wa malisho ni mojawapo ya mambo yanayokwamisha ufugaji. Tofauti na mifumo isiyo na ardhi katika kilimo cha kawaida, ufugaji wa kikaboni unapaswa kutegemea lishe inayozalishwa kwenye shamba lenyewe. Kama ilivyo kwa wanadamu, kuna uhusiano wa moja kwa moja kati ya wingi na muundo wa chakula na hali ya afya ya wanyama.

 

MAHITAJI YA CHAKULA KWA WANYAMA

Ili wanyama wa shambani wawe na tija (maziwa, mayai, nyama n.k.), ni muhimu wapate chakula kinachofaa kwa wingi wa kutosha. Ikiwa uzalishaji wa malisho ya shamba la mtu ni mdogo (ambayo kwa kawaida ni hivyo), inaweza kuwa halali kiuchumi kufuga wanyama wachache lakini kuwapa chakula cha kutosha.

Kiasi kinachofaa na mchanganyiko wa vitu vya malisho bila shaka itategemea aina ya mnyama, lakini pia juu ya matumizi yake kuu (k.m. kuku kwa ajili ya uzalishaji wa nyama au yai, ng'ombe kwa maziwa, nyama au rasimu nk). Katika uzalishaji wa maziwa kwa mfano, ng'ombe wanaotoa maziwa wanapaswa kupewa nyasi safi na ikiwezekana malisho mengine yenye maudhui ya protini ya kutosha. Katika mlo huo huo, wanyama wanaovuta ndege wangechoka haraka.

Lishe yenye usawa itaweka mnyama mwenye afya na tija. Iwapo mnyama wa shambani anapokea au la kiasi kinachofaa na aina ya lishe inaweza kuonekana kwa kung'aa kwa nywele au manyoya yake. Kwa wanyama wanaocheua, sehemu kubwa ya lishe inapaswa kuwa na ukali (nyasi, majani). Ikiwa mkusanyiko au virutubisho vinatumika (k.m. bidhaa za kilimo na taka), haipaswi kuwa na vikuza ukuaji na vitu vingine vya syntetisk. Badala ya kununua vikolezo vya bei ghali, kuna aina mbalimbali za mimea ya jamii ya kunde yenye protini nyingi ambayo inaweza kukuzwa shambani kama mazao ya kufunika, ua au miti. Ikiwa maudhui ya madini katika malisho yanayopatikana hayatoshi kukidhi mahitaji ya mnyama, matofali ya chumvi ya madini au virutubisho sawa vya malisho vinaweza kutumika mradi tu havina viambajengo vya sintetiki.

 

VIDOKEZO vya picha

• Aina mbalimbali za nyasi za malisho, kwa ajili ya kulishia na kulisha mifugo

• Majani na matawi ya miti ya jamii ya kunde yana protini nyingi na hupatikana pia wakati wa kiangazi

 AINA ZA NYASI ZA LISHE NA MIMEA YA MITI KUNDE INAYOTUMIWA KAMA RISHA KWA NG’OMBE NA MBUZI.

9 0 HUSABANDARY – 9.6 - GRAZING VERSUS SHED FEEDING

 

ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSABANDARY – 9.6 - GRAZING VERSUS SHED FEEDING

 

In many regions of the tropics, favourable periods with abundant fodder alternate with less favourable periods when there is almost nothing to feed to the animals. However, keeping animals means providing fodder throughout the year. Fodder can be produced on the farm as grazing land or as grass or tree crops used for cutting.

While grazing requires less labour than shed feeding, more land is needed and appropriate measures to keep the animals away from other crops must be undertaken. Grazing may lead to a lower productivity (milk, meat) but usually is the more favourable option concerning health and welfare of the animals.

Shed keeping, however, has the advantage that the dung can be easily collected, stored, or composted and applied to the crops. Whether grazing or shed feeding is the more suitable option will mainly depend on the agro-climatic conditions, the cropping system, and the availability of land. A combination of shed feeding and grazing in a fenced area may be an ideal combination of high productivity and animal friendly husbandry. In extensive grass lands of semi-arid areas, however, grazing may be the only suitable option.

 

 

       TIPS of the picture:

Combinate grazing and shed feeding as an ideal solution?

 

Grazing:

·         less labour

·         More land required

·         Lower productivity

·         More move / exercise

·         Dung is spread on the pasture

 

SHED FEEDING

·         More labour

·         Less land required

·         Higher productivity

·         Less move / exercise

·         Dung can be collected easily

 

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 HUSABANDARI – 9.6 - MALISHO DHIDI YA ULISHAJI WA MADINI

 

Katika maeneo mengi ya tropiki, vipindi vyema vya lishe ya mifugo kwa wingi hubadilishana na vipindi visivyofaa wakati karibu hakuna chochote cha kulisha wanyama. Hata hivyo, kufuga wanyama kunamaanisha kutoa lishe kwa mwaka mzima. Lishe inaweza kuzalishwa shambani kama shamba la malisho au kama mimea ya nyasi au miti inayotumika kukata.

Ingawa malisho huhitaji kazi kidogo kuliko kulisha banda, ardhi zaidi inahitajika na hatua zinazofaa za kuwaweka wanyama mbali na mazao mengine lazima zichukuliwe. Malisho yanaweza kusababisha tija ya chini (maziwa, nyama) lakini kwa kawaida ni chaguo linalofaa zaidi kuhusu afya na ustawi wa wanyama.

Utunzaji wa banda, hata hivyo, una faida kwamba kinyesi kinaweza kukusanywa kwa urahisi, kuhifadhiwa au kutengenezwa mboji na kupakwa kwenye mazao. Iwapo malisho ya malisho au mabanda ndiyo chaguo linalofaa zaidi itategemea zaidi hali ya hali ya hewa ya kilimo, mfumo wa upandaji mazao, na upatikanaji wa ardhi. Mchanganyiko wa malisho ya banda na malisho katika eneo lenye uzio unaweza kuwa mchanganyiko bora wa tija ya juu na ufugaji rafiki wa wanyama. Hata hivyo, katika nyasi nyingi za maeneo yenye ukame, malisho yanaweza kuwa chaguo pekee linalofaa.

 

       TIPS za picha:

Je, unachanganya malisho na ulishaji wa banda kama suluhisho bora?

 

Malisho:

• kazi kidogo

• Ardhi zaidi inahitajika

• Uzalishaji mdogo

• Hoja/zoezi zaidi

• Kinyesi hutawanywa kwenye malisho

 

KULISHA MWAGA

• Kazi zaidi

• Ardhi kidogo inayohitajika

• Uzalishaji wa juu

• Kusonga kidogo / mazoezi

• Kinyesi kinaweza kukusanywa kwa urahisi

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.7 - INTEGRATED FODDER CULTIVATION IN THE FARM

 ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.7 - INTEGRATED FODDER CULTIVATION IN THE FARM

In most smallholder farms, fodder cultivation will compete for space with the cultivation of crops. Whether fodder cultivation (and thus animal husbandry) is economically more beneficial compared with crop production must be assessed case by case. However, there are some options for integrating fodder crops in farms without sacrificing much land. Below are some examples:

→ Grass or leguminous cover crops in tree plantations

→ Hedges of suitable shrubs

→ Shade or support trees

→ Grass on bunds against soil erosion

→ Grass fallows or green manures in the crop rotation

→ Crops with by-products such as paddy straw or pea leaves

 

MANAGEMENT OF PASTURES

The management of pastures is crucial for a good herd management. It is also important to practice appropriate management throughout the year. There are many different types of grasses, and every climatic region has grasses which are specifically adapted to the conditions. In some cases it may be worth considering to till the grazing site and sow grass varieties that are more appropriate to the animal‘s needs.

Overgrazing is probably the most significant threat to grass land. Once the protective grass cover is destroyed, the topsoil is prone to erosion. Degraded pastures or land with little plant cover is difficult to re-cultivate. Therefore, it is important that the use and intensity of grazing on a piece of land is appropriate to its production capacity. Enough time must be given to a pasture to recover after intensive grazing. 

Fencing off areas and rotation of the grazing animals on several pieces of land is the best option for managing the farm and the overall landscape. Creating “grazing cells” restores overgrazed pastures, reduce the incidence of intestinal parasites encountered while the animals graze, and increase land productivity.  The intensity and timing of grazing, as well as the cutting of the grass, will influence the varieties of plants growing in the pasture:

 

 

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 UFUGAJI – 9.7 - KILIMO SHIRIKISHO CHA RISHE KATIKA SHAMBA

Katika mashamba mengi ya wakulima wadogo, kilimo cha malisho kitashindana kwa nafasi na kilimo cha mazao. Kama kilimo cha malisho (na hivyo ufugaji) kina manufaa zaidi kiuchumi ikilinganishwa na uzalishaji wa mazao lazima kutathminiwe kila moja. Hata hivyo, kuna baadhi ya chaguzi za kuunganisha mazao ya lishe katika mashamba bila kutoa ardhi nyingi. Ifuatayo ni baadhi ya mifano:

→ Mazao ya kufunika nyasi au kunde katika mashamba ya miti

→ Ua wa vichaka vinavyofaa

→ Weka kivuli au saidia miti

→ Nyasi kwenye vifundo dhidi ya mmomonyoko wa udongo

→ Makonde ya nyasi au mbolea ya kijani katika mzunguko wa mazao

→ Mazao yenye mazao ya ziada kama vile majani ya mpunga au majani ya njegere

 

USIMAMIZI WA MALISHO

Usimamizi wa malisho ni muhimu kwa usimamizi mzuri wa mifugo. Pia ni muhimu kufanya usimamizi ufaao mwaka mzima. Kuna aina nyingi tofauti za nyasi, na kila eneo la hali ya hewa lina nyasi ambazo hubadilishwa mahsusi kulingana na hali hiyo. Katika baadhi ya matukio inaweza kuwa vyema kuzingatia kulima eneo la malisho na kupanda aina za nyasi ambazo zinafaa zaidi kwa mahitaji ya mnyama.

Ufugaji wa mifugo kupita kiasi ndio tishio kubwa zaidi kwa ardhi ya nyasi. Mara baada ya kifuniko cha nyasi ya kinga kuharibiwa, udongo wa juu unakabiliwa na mmomonyoko. Malisho yaliyoharibiwa au ardhi yenye vifuniko kidogo vya mimea ni vigumu kulima tena. Kwa hiyo, ni muhimu kwamba matumizi na ukubwa wa malisho kwenye kipande cha ardhi ni sawa na uwezo wake wa uzalishaji. Ni lazima muda wa kutosha utolewe kwa malisho ili kupata nafuu baada ya malisho makubwa.

Kuzingira uzio wa maeneo na mzunguko wa wanyama wa malisho kwenye vipande kadhaa vya ardhi ni chaguo bora zaidi la kusimamia shamba na mandhari ya jumla. Kuunda "seli za malisho" hurejesha malisho ya mifugo kupita kiasi, kupunguza matukio ya vimelea vya matumbo yanayotokea wakati wanyama wanalisha, na kuongeza uzalishaji wa ardhi. Nguvu na muda wa malisho, pamoja na kukata nyasi, itaathiri aina za mimea inayokua katika malisho:

 

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.8 - ANIMAL HEALTH

 

ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.8 - ANIMAL HEALTH

Disease causing germs and parasites are present almost everywhere. Like humans, animals have an immune system which is usually able to cope with these germs. And as with humans, the efficiency of the immune system will be disturbed if animals are not properly fed, cannot practise their natural behaviour, or are under social stress.

Health is a balance between disease pressure (the presence of germs and parasites) and the resistance (immune system and self-healing forces) of the animal. The farmer can influence both sides of this balance: reduce the quantity of germs by maintaining good hygiene, and strengthen the animal‘s ability to cope with germs (Figure 12-8).

 

Organic animal husbandry puts its focus on improving the living conditions of animals and on strengthening their immune systems. Of course: if an animal gets sick it must be treated. But the farmer should also think about why the immune system of the animal was not able to fight the disease or the parasite attack. And the farmer should think of ways to improve the animals living conditions and hygiene to strengthen it.

 

 

Bacteria, viruses and parasites attacking the farm animal which fights back with its immune system. The farmer can influence both sides of this balance.

 

TIPS on the picture:

·         Bacteria

·         Viruses

·         Parasites

·         Veterinary care

·         Amounts and quality of fodder

·         Exercise, move

·         Social contacts

·         Hygiene

·         Shed system

·         Amounts and quality of water

·         Man – animal interaction

·         Breed variety

 

FIGURE 9.8 - BACTERIA, VIRUSES AND PARASITES ATTACKING THE FARM ANIMAL WHICH FIGHTS BACK WITH ITS IMMUNE SYSTEM.  THE FARMER CAN INFLUENCE BOTH SIDES OF THIS BALANCE

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 UFUGAJI - 9.8 - AFYA YA WANYAMA

Vijidudu vinavyosababisha magonjwa na vimelea vipo karibu kila mahali. Kama wanadamu, wanyama wana mfumo wa kinga ambao kawaida huweza kukabiliana na vijidudu hivi. Na kama ilivyo kwa wanadamu, ufanisi wa mfumo wa kinga utasumbuliwa ikiwa wanyama hawatalishwa vizuri, hawawezi kufanya tabia zao za asili, au wako chini ya mkazo wa kijamii.

Afya ni uwiano kati ya shinikizo la ugonjwa (uwepo wa vijidudu na vimelea) na upinzani (mfumo wa kinga na nguvu za kujiponya) za mnyama. Mkulima anaweza kuathiri pande zote za uwiano huu: kupunguza wingi wa vijidudu kwa kudumisha usafi, na kuimarisha uwezo wa mnyama wa kukabiliana na vijidudu (Mchoro 12-8).

 

Ufugaji wa wanyama hai huweka mkazo wake katika kuboresha hali ya maisha ya wanyama na kuimarisha mifumo yao ya kinga. Bila shaka: ikiwa mnyama anaugua ni lazima kutibiwa. Lakini mkulima anapaswa pia kufikiria kwa nini mfumo wa kinga wa mnyama haukuweza kupambana na ugonjwa huo au mashambulizi ya vimelea. Na mkulima anapaswa kufikiria njia za kuboresha hali ya maisha ya wanyama na usafi ili kuimarisha.

 

Bakteria, virusi na vimelea vinavyoshambulia mnyama wa shamba ambaye hupigana na mfumo wake wa kinga. Mkulima anaweza kuathiri pande zote mbili za usawa huu.

 

TIPS kwenye picha:

• Bakteria

• Virusi

• Vimelea

• Huduma ya mifugo

• Kiasi na ubora wa malisho

• Fanya mazoezi, songa

• Anwani za kijamii

• Usafi

• Mfumo wa banda

• Kiasi na ubora wa maji

• Mwanadamu - mwingiliano wa wanyama

• Kuzaa aina mbalimbali

 

KIELELEZO 9.8 - BAKTERIA, VIRUSI NA VIUMBE VINAVYOMSHAMBULIA MNYAMA SHAMBANI ANAYEPIGANA NA MFUMO WAKE WA KINGA YAKE. MKULIMA ANAWEZA KUSHAWISHI PANDE MBILI ZA MIZANI HII

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.9 - PREVENTION BEFORE CURING

 

 

 ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.9 - PREVENTION BEFORE CURING

 

Similar as in crop health, organic animal husbandry puts the main emphasis on preventive measures to keep animals healthy, rather than on curative methods. This starts from keeping robust breeds rather than high performing but very susceptible ones. Next, the conditions in which the animals are kept should be optimal ones: sufficient space, light and air, dry and clean bedding, frequent exercise (e.g. grazing) and proper hygiene. 

The quality and quantity of fodder is of crucial importance for the health of the animal.  Instead of feeding commercial concentrates which make animals grow faster and produce more, a natural diet appropriate to the requirements of the animal should be achieved. Where all these preventive measures are taken, animals will rarely fall sick. Veterinary treatment thus should play only a secondary role in organic farming. If treatment is necessary, alternative medicine based on herbal and traditional remedies should be used. Only if these treatments fail or are not sufficient, synthetic medicines (e.g. antibiotics, parasiticides, anaesthetics) may be used; in these cases, the treated animals must be separated from non-treated organic stock and excluded for a period of time (e.g. at least 3 weeks) from organic certification..

The main principal for veterinary treatment in organic animal husbandry is: get to know the causes of (or factors that favour) diseases in order to enhance the natural defence mechanisms of the animal (and to prevent its manifestations in the future).

 

Unlike in crop production, synthetic means are allowed to cure sick animals if alternative treatment is not sufficient. Here, reducing the suffering of the animal is given priority over the renunciation of chemicals. However, the standards of organic agriculture clearly demand that priority is given to management practices which encourage the resistance of the animals thus preventing the outbreak of a disease. Therefore, an outbreak of a disease shall be considered as an indicator that the conditions under which the animal is kept are not ideal. The farmer should try to identify the cause (or causes) of the disease and prevent future outbreaks by changing management practices.

If conventional veterinary medication is applied, withholding periods must be adhered to before the animal products can be sold as “organic”. This shall ensure that organic animal products are free from residues of antibiotics etc. Synthetic growth promoters are not allowed in any case.

 

TIPS on the picture:

STEP 1:

Keeping robust breeds and varieties adapted to the local climate and available fodder

STEP2:

Hygiene, proper diet, enough and clean water, appropriate shed systems, enough move etc.

STEP 3:

Alternative treatments: plant medicine, homeopathics, traditional medicine.

STEP 4:

If nothing else helps: chemical remedies (e.g. antibiotics) can be used

 

FIGURE 9.9 - PREVENTION BEFORE CURING - 

ONLY WHEN ALL PREVENTIVE MEASURES FAIL ANIMALS SHOULD BE TREATED,

PREFERABLY WITH ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES

 

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 UFUGAJI - 9.9 - KINGA KABLA YA KUTIBU

 

Sawa na afya ya mazao, ufugaji wa wanyama huweka msisitizo mkuu katika hatua za kuzuia ili kuwaweka wanyama wenye afya, badala ya mbinu za tiba. Hii huanza kutokana na kutunza mifugo imara badala ya inayofanya vizuri lakini inayoathiriwa sana. Kisha, hali ambazo wanyama hufugwa zinapaswa kuwa bora zaidi: nafasi ya kutosha, mwanga na hewa, matandiko kavu na safi, mazoezi ya mara kwa mara (k.m. malisho) na usafi sahihi.

Ubora na wingi wa malisho ni muhimu sana kwa afya ya mnyama. Badala ya kulisha vyakula vya kibiashara vinavyofanya wanyama wakue haraka na kuzalisha zaidi, mlo wa asili unaolingana na mahitaji ya mnyama unapaswa kupatikana. Ambapo hatua hizi zote za kuzuia zinachukuliwa, wanyama hawataugua mara chache. Kwa hivyo, matibabu ya mifugo inapaswa kuchukua jukumu la pili katika kilimo hai. Ikiwa matibabu ni muhimu, dawa mbadala kulingana na dawa za mitishamba na za jadi zinapaswa kutumika. Ikiwa tu matibabu haya hayatafaulu au hayatoshi, dawa za syntetisk (k.m. viuavijasumu, viuadudu, dawa za ganzi) zinaweza kutumika; katika hali hizi, wanyama waliotibiwa lazima watenganishwe na hifadhi ya kikaboni isiyotibiwa na kutengwa kwa muda (k.m. angalau wiki 3) kutoka kwa uthibitisho wa kikaboni.

Jambo kuu la matibabu ya mifugo katika ufugaji wa wanyama hai ni: kujua sababu za (au sababu zinazopendelea) magonjwa ili kuimarisha mifumo ya asili ya ulinzi wa mnyama (na kuzuia udhihirisho wake katika siku zijazo).

 

Tofauti na uzalishaji wa mazao, njia za sintetiki zinaruhusiwa kuponya wanyama wagonjwa ikiwa tiba mbadala haitoshi. Hapa, kupunguza mateso ya mnyama hupewa kipaumbele juu ya kukataa kemikali. Hata hivyo, viwango vya kilimo-hai vinadai kwa uwazi kuwa kipaumbele kitolewe kwa mazoea ya usimamizi ambayo yanahimiza upinzani wa wanyama hivyo kuzuia mlipuko wa ugonjwa. Kwa hivyo, mlipuko wa ugonjwa utazingatiwa kama kiashiria kwamba hali ambayo mnyama huhifadhiwa sio bora. Mkulima ajaribu kubaini sababu (au sababu) za ugonjwa na kuzuia milipuko ya siku zijazo kwa kubadilisha mbinu za usimamizi.

Iwapo dawa ya kawaida ya mifugo itatumika, muda wa zuio lazima ufuatwe kabla ya bidhaa za wanyama kuuzwa kama "hai". Hii itahakikisha kwamba bidhaa za wanyama za kikaboni hazina mabaki ya viuavijasumu nk. Vikuzaji vya ukuaji wa syntetisk haviruhusiwi kwa vyovyote vile.

 

TIPS kwenye picha:

HATUA YA 1:

Kutunza mifugo imara na aina zinazoendana na hali ya hewa ya ndani na lishe inayopatikana

HATUA YA 2:

Usafi, lishe bora, maji ya kutosha na safi, mifumo inayofaa ya kumwaga, kusonga kwa kutosha nk.

HATUA YA 3:

Matibabu mbadala: dawa za mimea, homeopathics, dawa za jadi.

HATUA YA 4:

Ikiwa hakuna kitu kingine kinachosaidia: tiba za kemikali (k.m. antibiotics) zinaweza kutumika

KIELELEZO 9.9 - KINGA KABLA YA KUTIBU -

PEKEE WAKATI HATUA ZOTE ZA KUZUIA ZINAPASWA KUTIBIWA, WANYAMA

VEMA NA DAWA MBADALA