Feed balances for ruminant livestock: gridded estimates for data−constrained regions
S. Fraval,
J.Y. Mutua,
T. Amole,
A. Tolera,
T. Feyisa,
P.K. Thornton,
A.M.O. Notenbaert,
A. Adesogan,
M. Balehegn,
A.A. Ayantunde,
N. Zampaligre,
A.J. Duncan
Affiliations
S. Fraval
Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom; Corresponding author.
J.Y. Mutua
Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom; School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JN, United Kingdom
T. Amole
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), PO Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
A. Tolera
School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia
T. Feyisa
School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia
P.K. Thornton
Clim-Eat, Agro Business Park, 10, Wageningen 6708 PW, the Netherlands
A.M.O. Notenbaert
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Africa Hub, PO Box 823-00621, Nairobi, Kenya
A. Adesogan
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
M. Balehegn
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
A.A. Ayantunde
Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WC, the Netherlands
N. Zampaligre
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), PO Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
A.J. Duncan
Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom; International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), PO Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Demand for animal−source foods and livestock feed are forecast to increase across sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, there is a need to estimate the availability of livestock feed to support decision−making at local, sub-national and national levels. In this study, we assess feed balances for ruminant livestock in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. Feed availability was estimated using remotely sensed products and detailed feed composition data. Feed requirements were estimated for maintenance, growth, lactation, gestation and locomotion using a data−intensive model. Biomass available as animal feed was estimated to be 8.6 tonnes of DM per hectare in the Ethiopian highlands and midlands, 3.2 tonnes DM per hectare in the Ethiopian lowlands, 2.9 tonnes DM per hectare in Burkina Faso’s Sudanian agro-ecological zone and 1.0 tonne DM per hectare in the Sahel. The energy requirements of lactating cows were estimated to be 62.1 Megajoules (MJs) per animal per day in the Ethiopian highlands and midlands, 62.7 MJ in the Ethiopian lowlands, 88.5 MJ in Burkina Faso’s Sudanian agro-ecological zone and 53.1 MJ per animal per day in the Sahel. Feed scarcity hotspots are most prominently located in the Ethiopian highlands and the Sahelian agro-ecological zone of Burkina Faso. Demand−side policy and investment initiatives can address hotspots by influencing herd sizes, nutritional requirements and herd mobility. Supply−side policy and investment initiatives can secure existing feed resources, develop new sources of feed and incentivise trade in feed resources. Improving feed balances will be of value to decision−makers with the aims of optimising livestock productivity, minimising exposure to climatic shocks and minimising greenhouse gas emission intensity.
