Effect of grass-legume silage on production and milk composition of Friesian cross cows in Imbo region of Burundi

Authors

  • Francine Ahimpera National Veterinary Laboratory of Burundi, 39 Ave de la Tanzanie, Bujumbura, Burundi
  • Napoleon Munyaneza Animal Health, and Production Department, Research Center in Animal, Plant and Environmental Production Sciences, Burundi University, Bujumbura, Burundi
  • Iribagiza Albert Animal Health, and Production Department, Research Center in Animal, Plant and Environmental Production Sciences, Burundi University, Bujumbura, Burundi
  • Godfrey Jabulani Manyawu International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Old Naivasha Road, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Lionel Nyabongo International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Old Naivasha Road, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Anthony Macharia King'ori Department of Animal Science, Egerton University, Along Nakuru-Mau Narok Road, P.O. Box 536 - 20115, Egerton-Njoro, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v15i1.82753

Keywords:

Feed scarcity, Season, Milk consumption, Quality, Income

Abstract

The study determined the effects of feeding Cenchrus purpureus- Velvet bean, or Maize stalk- Velvet bean silage on milk production and quality. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in R4.4.1 software was used for data analysis. Results from the study showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.01) in milk production among treatments. The mean milk production was different between the blocks (P < 0.05). The mean milk production was higher (7.53±1.52 kg) for cows fed on maize stalk-Velvet bean silage than cows fed on Cenchrus purpureus-Velvet bean silage (5.36±1.07 kg) and fresh mixed grass-legume (4.29l±1.07 kg).  Results also showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in milk SNF, lactose and salt, while there were no significant differences (p˃0.05) on milk fat and protein contents for all the experimental diets. The study concluded that the incorporation of maize stalk: Velvet bean silage ratio (80:20) could prevent the dry season feed scarcity, increase milk production and consequently increase the household income.

Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 15(1): 48-53, June 2025

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Author Biographies

Francine Ahimpera, National Veterinary Laboratory of Burundi, 39 Ave de la Tanzanie, Bujumbura, Burundi

 

 

Napoleon Munyaneza, Animal Health, and Production Department, Research Center in Animal, Plant and Environmental Production Sciences, Burundi University, Bujumbura, Burundi

 

 

Iribagiza Albert, Animal Health, and Production Department, Research Center in Animal, Plant and Environmental Production Sciences, Burundi University, Bujumbura, Burundi

 

 

Godfrey Jabulani Manyawu, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Old Naivasha Road, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya

 

 

Lionel Nyabongo, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Old Naivasha Road, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya

 

 

Anthony Macharia King'ori, Department of Animal Science, Egerton University, Along Nakuru-Mau Narok Road, P.O. Box 536 - 20115, Egerton-Njoro, Kenya

 

 

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Published

2025-07-08

How to Cite

Ahimpera, F., Munyaneza, N., Albert, I., Manyawu, G. J., Nyabongo, L., & King'ori, A. M. (2025). Effect of grass-legume silage on production and milk composition of Friesian cross cows in Imbo region of Burundi. International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology, 15(1), 48–53. https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v15i1.82753

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Francine Ahimpera, Napoleon Munyaneza, Iribagiza Albert, Godfrey Jabulani Manyawu, Lionel Nyabongo, Anthony Macharia King'ori

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