Agrinews December 2012 - Ministry of Agriculture

IMPORTANCE OF FODDER PRIntroductionBOTSWANA FODDERPRODUCTIONLivestock production inBotswana relies almostsolely on forage from naturalrangeland. They graze/browseon natural pastures. Most of theproductivity of both range andanimals become reasonable duringwet season when range is able toprovide enough nutrients whichincrease levels of cows to producemore milk for young ones to growrapidly, also gains weight to activelygain heat, bulls become active tomate efficiently. Animals are able toresist some diseases during this time,subsequently calving percentageand off take are uplifted.However, all these decline in dryseasons because animals scavengefor low quality and quantityroughage. In sandy areas the abovesituation may prolong becausesoils are highly porous whichallows speedy leaching of mineralsduring rains hence impend forageto absorb enough of them.The condition is worsened bymost livestock producers who areunwilling to produce abundantfeeds to face out subsistence levelfodder production to curtail thesituation. Overgrazing cannotbe over emphasized, becausemost parts of this country arebare due to livestock dependenceon natural pasture with less ornone recommended managementstrategies of conservationdeployed to reduce deteriorationof rangelands.The intervention to thatirremediable calamity is to startserious fodder production. Livestockbenefit from the food directly(while flesh eating animals benefitindirectly from grazers). Theseplants also obtain essential mineralsfrom the soil required by animals,hence indirectly benefit throughgrazing, and they are classifiedas macro and micro minerals,depending on whether they arefound greater or less from parentmaterials.(Johnny Rossi) Minerals areessential to livestock nutrition andare classified as macro mineralsor micro minerals, depending onwhether they are found at levelsgreater than or less than 100 partsper million (ppm) in the animal’sbody.MacromineralsThe macro minerals requiredinclude calcium, magnesium,phosphorus, potassium, sodium,chlorine and sulfur.Calcium and phosphateMajor component of skeletonGain weightMilk productionQuick pubertyPotassiumBalance base acid in animal bodyTrigger osmotic pressure(flow highconcentrated to low concentration)in animal’s bodyRegulate amount of water inanimal’s bodySodium and chlorineProper function of nervous andmuscular systems in animal’s bodyRegulate PH and amount of waterin animal’s bodyKeep appetite maintained.MagnesiumInduces enzymes for efficientcarbohydrates(C6H12O6)metabolismFormation of uniform udder.Nervous system functionsPrevent tetanySulfurPart of amino Acids the methionineand cystine which makes protein.Equal amount of sulfur assist inmetabolism of copper.The micro elements are minorbut still needed by animal’s bodyand most seemed to be abundantbecause they are required in smallamounts. These are iron, manganese,copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt andiodine, chromium, molybdenumand nickel.CobaltComponent of vitamin B12Boast appetiteCopperComponent of many enzymesDecember 2012126