Browsing by Author "Maweu, A.N."
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Item Enteric Methane Emission of Cattle Grazing Rangeland Ecosystems of South Eastern Kenya(Research Square, 2022-03-16) Maweu, A.N.; Bebe, B.O.; Kuria, S.G.; Kashongwe, O.B.; Egerton University, Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research OrganizationLarge herds grazing degraded rangeland pastures are associated with enteric methane emission, contributing to Global Warming Potential (GWP). Kenya has large herds of ruminants grazing rangelands yet hardly are methane emissions and associated GWP quantified. This study estimated enteric methane emission and the GWP from cattle grazing in Makueni County, a rangeland ecosystem in Southeastern Kenya. Estimation applied the IPCC Tier II approach that incorporated seasonal differences in feed quality, dry matter intake and animal performance to provide improved methane emission factors (EFs). Data on cattle population, animal classes and their performance and animal activity for the year 2019 was obtained from the County livestock inventory reports while feed quality data was sourced from recently published literature. The resultant EFs were 47.1 kg year-1 for females> 2yrs; 27.2 kg year-1 for heifers 1-2 yrs; 46.5 kg year-1 for males> 2yrs; 32.9 kg year-1 for young males 1-2yrs; and 17.2 kg year-1 for calves< 1yr. These EFs were higher (7.7 to 14.9%) than those of Tier I for females> 2yrs, young males 1-2yrs and for calves< 1yr but lower (5.4 to 12.3%) for males> 2yrs and for heifers 1-2 yrs. The Tier II estimates were 4.4% higher than the estimates with Tier I approach for both total estimated enteric methane emission (9,279,526.80 vs 8,889,997 kg CH 4/year) and GWP (259,826,750.4 vs. 248,919,916 kg CO 2 eq). The results reflect uncertainty of EFs generated from Tier I approach, which necessitates development of region-specific EFs using data from local breeds of animals and feed resources. This will improve certainties of the enteric methane emissions and accuracy in reporting the Nationally Determined Contributions.Item Promoting Improved Forages for Increased Livestock Productivity in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of Kenya: A Case of Kajiado, Narok, and Taita Taveta Counties(International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 2023) Maweu, A.N.; Korir, B.K.; Kuria, S.G.; Ogillo, B.P.; Kisambo, B.K.; Wambulwa, L.M.; Kubasu, D.O.; Musyimi, D.M.; Manyeki, J.K.; Chege, P.W.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research OrganizationInadequate nutrition is a major constraint that negatively impacts the growth and viability of cattle farming in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). This is hastened by the adverse effects of climate change that lead to feed scarcity and poor-quality feed. However, these impacts can only be checked with the use of improved technologies hence the need to disseminate adaptation strategies and technologies. In an attempt to resolve the situation, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) in partnership with SNV Netherlands Development Organization agencies instituted a research program; Integrated & Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralist Economies and Landscapes Kenya’s (ICSIAPL) and established demonstration plots across highlands and lowland regions in Kajiado, Narok and Taita Taveta counties. This paper focused on evaluating forage nutritive value and its impact on livestock productivity through testing changes in milk yield and animal acceptability for selected grasses and legumes that were promoted. All the grasses established in the lowland regions (Brachiaria camello, Nutrifeed, Sugar graze, Foxtail, Panicum maximum var Maasai) and legumes (cowpea, dolichos lablab and crotalaria) had crude protein above the critical level of 70kg/Dm except Sugargraze which had a Crude protein of 48 kg/Dm. The test animals showed high acceptability to Nutrifeed (83%) relative to the sugar graze (50%) and recorded 33% and 25% increase in milk when fed on nutrifeed and Sugargraze respectively. The highland grasses (Brachiaria cobra, Brachiaria cayman, Boma rhodes, Panicum maximum var Siambaza) and legumes (Desmodium, Lucerne, purple vetch, sweet potato vines and Mucuna) were also high in nutritive quality with Panicum maximum var Siambasa having high animal acceptability of 75% relative to Brachiaria cobra with 20%. Desmodium had animal acceptability rate of 80%. and recorded 23% increase in milk yield. The results inform that legume species promotes animal performance and should thus be included while feeding to boost the production for sustainable ruminant productivity under ASALs ecosystems.
