Name: Annie M.

Ventura Section: BSAM 2B

AN SCI 101- ANIMAL SCIENCE

CRITIQUE REPORT
Gashaw, M.,& Defar, G. (2017). Livestock feed resources, nutritional value and their
Implication on animal productivity in mixed farming system in Gasera and Ginnir
Districts, Bale Zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Livestock Production, Vol. 8(2) :
12-23

I. INTRODUCTION
Highlights:
According to Holloway et al.,(2000),Ethiopia has the largest livestock population
in Africa and a significant potential for the production of livestock products (milk,
meat, manure, skin, and hide), particularly from large and small ruminants. Due
to the absence or limited availability of irrigation technologies, their nation also
has a low potential for crop production. In mixed and pastoral farming systems,
livestock become a major source of income and food for the majority of rural
residents (UNESC, 2012).Additionally, the mixed-farming system employs 70%
of the world’s poor livestock producers and produces 50% of the meat and 90%
of the milk (Thornton and Herrero, 2001).In further, the animals creation specific
in the review region (Bundle Zone) is significant for the utilized as wellspring of
milk creation, meat creation, draft power and money pay. There are a lot of
livestock in the Bale Zone’s middle to high land area. However, the sector’s
productivity remains low due to a variety of factors, including a lack of feed,
particularly during the dry season. As a result, the goal of this study, which was
carried out in the Bale mid- to highland region, was to determine the primary
nutritional value of primary livestock feed resources. In the end, to figure out how
feed resources and feeding strategies affect livestock productivity in the selected
districts under the current farming system.

Comment/Critique:
In this chapter, the researchers’ beginning was informative, because they said
that their country, Ethiopia, is believed to have the largest livestock population in
Africa. This belief, supported by different authors established by researchers,
indicates that Ethiopia has a large potential for livestock products (milk, meat,
manure, skin and hide) production, in particular from large and small ruminants,
mainly due to its large livestock population, the relatively favorable climate and
disease-free environment according by Holloway et al., (2000). In addition, they
said that the mixed-farming system provides 50% of the meat and 90% of the
milk production in the world and employs 70% of the world’s poor livestock
producers (Thornton and Herrero, 2001). But, the problem is, they didn’t include
what the mixed-farming system is all about and why the mixed farming system
they chose in all five production systems. On the other hand, the researchers
 clearly stated the problem and the purpose why they conducted a study in the
area of the Bale Zone. They indicate that the productivity of the sector is still poor
because of lack of feed in quality and quantity among other factors, especially
during dry season. For this reason, they have an aim to identify major livestock
feed resources , to evaluate major livestock feed nutritional value , and their
implications on animal productivity. The objective will elaborate clearly and it is
connected to the title of study that needs to be addressed. The researchers’
research study was exciting , because through their study, we can find out what
nutrition is found in the feeds of the major feed resources and why the
productivity is poor. In overall, the researchers’ introduction established different
ideas and it makes the purpose of the article clear, because the problem has
been properly introduced, and the reason for conducting research has been
explained.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Highlights:
The study was carried out in the Oromiya Regional State of Ethiopia’s Bale Zone.
In order to choose between the two types of mixed farming, Maddawalabu
University conducted a reconnaissance survey and held discussions with the
agricultural office of the Bale zone in accordance with the thematic research
topics. Based on information from the Zone Agriculture Office and Maddawalabu
University’s thematic research need assessment of existing crop-livestock
farming, feed resources, and other recurring issues system districts, and two
districts were chosen for the study. Three people from each district were chosen
at random to participate in the feed sample and household interview. In addition,
156 households that engaged in crop-livestock farming were selected using the
random sampling method that the researchers employed for the interview.
Arsham (2005) was used to determine the household sample size:N =
0.25/(SE)2, in which:N is the size of the sample, and SE is the proportion’s
standard error. A semi-structured questionnaire was tested on a sample of
households and being translated into Afan Oromo, the local language. Based
on the farmers’ responses during the interview, major samples of livestock feed
were collected for laboratory analysis. The nutrition laboratory at the Holeta
agricultural Research Center carried out chemical analyses on feed samples.
The appropriate software (SPSS, Version 20) was used to analyze the collected
data.

Comment/Critique:
The researchers’ description of the study area was complete. They included the
total population of livestock belonging to the two districts under a mixed -farming
system. The information they established about the total population was
reliable ,because it came from an article from CSA. On the other hand, the
researchers do not include what research design can be used and the
researchers do not explain why they are using a reconnaissance survey or what
survey it is all about. In means, researchers don’t have any supporting evidence
 coming from different authors about reconnaissance surveys on how it is related
to their conducting a survey. In that case, I suggested to the researchers
explaining well the reconnaissance survey with the supporting evidence or
existing information about that. So that the readers can easily understand what it
is all about, especially if it is unfamiliar to the readers. However, I am still glad
that the researchers, on the other hand, include the formula on how they get the
sample size of the households and their sample size is very sufficient in order to
get the exact results. And also, their semi-structured questionnaire was pre-
tested before the start of the survey. They also had one-day training and group
discussions. Moreover, researchers examine the collected feed as samples for
laboratory analysis to determine the chemicals or nutrients found in the major
livestock feeds used by the farmers. Their strategy or idea makes their research
better. Therefore, I agree with their methods in conducting research , because
they use appropriate methods to gather data and to analyze the results.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Highlights:
According to the findings, natural grass, fallow land grass, crop residue,
aftermath grazing, and homemade concentrates are the primary annual livestock
feed resources in the Gasera and Ginnir districts of the Bale mid to highland
areas. These findings are consistent with the reports published by Alemayehu
and Sissay (2003) and Yeshitila (2007). Calves receive the same level of care as
oxen and lactating cows when it comes to crop residue feeding. This
administration is presumably to keep up with body state of draft creatures. In the
study districts, natural grass from grazing and fallow land has a significantly
lower DM content (P 0.05) than crop residues and concentrates in terms of
chemical composition (Table 5). In the district of Gasera, natural grass has a
higher ash content than any other feed resource, while in the district of Ginnir,
crop residue has a higher ash content than any other feed resource. The lower
CP content in the Ginnir area may be related to the longer period of time required
for physiological maturity to harvest the crop, which induces dilution of CP and
enhances lignifications (McDonald et al., 1995). Feed obtained from natural
grass at Gasera had a relatively higher CP content than feed obtained from
Ginnir (Tables 5 and 6). In both districts, the crop residue has a higher NDF
content than the feed resources.

Comment/Critique:
In this part of the research paper, the results were accordingly arranged in order
based on their objectives and they used only tables in showing the results. In
means, through the tables, the statistics are clearly explained. The results will be
discussed by the researchers that have the supporting evidence that came from
the authors. Some of the results are disagreements with the findings of the
authors, like the feed DM did not significantly differ (P > 0.05) for both Ginnir and
Gasera districts (Table 1) disagree with the findings of Dawit et al. (2013). This is
because of the available feed from crop residues in one district being
compensated by that from pasture land in the other district. Additionally, there
 are some results that were used “coincided with the report” as supporting
evidence and didn’t include the authors’ description the same as the results. So,
the researchers’ supporting ideas on the results are not considered reliable for
me. I would suggest that the researchers give two more supporting evidence in
discussing their results to make it more reliable. In conclusion, the results and the
way they discussed the results are easy to understand even though there are
some results that didn’t have reliable supporting sources that came from a variety
of authors. But their results address the problems and their aims.

IV. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

Highlight:

The researchers came to the conclusion that natural grass, crop residues, crop
aftermath, and fallow land are the primary feed resources in both study districts.
The livestock's nutritional needs cannot be met by the feed resources that are
available, especially if the protein content is less than 7%, which does not even
meet the requirements of the rumen microbes. In addition, crop residues account
for 81.06% and 70.97% of the ME and CP in both study districts, while natural
grass contributed 18.94% and fallow land grass contributed 29.03%. Aside from
that, the season is a major factor in determining the availability of feed resources
in the study area, and animals face a lack of feed during the dry season.
However, the researchers recommend further research into the chemical
composition of cereal crop residue at various levels of crop management
practices and varieties. To compensate for the low protein content of major feeds
and improve the palatability of crop residue, it is preferable to administer
supplementary feeds and treat crop residue. Last but not least, the farmer ought
to be aware of how to conserve forage during the dry season to address the feed
shortage.

Comment/Critique:
This is the last chapter of the manuscript in which the researchers’ conclusion
and recommendations are based on the results. They concluded that the major
feed resources available in the study area are natural grass, crop residues, crop
aftermath and fallow land. These feed resources cannot meet the nutritional
requirements of livestock, especially the content of protein. The major factor was
the season that determines the availability of feed resources. For that conclusion,
I’ve realized that their conducted study was very helpful to solve the problem, by
looking at the main nutrients why the productivity is low in the study area by
identifying the major feed resources used by the farmers and the nutrient content
in the feeds. In that way of conducting a study, the researchers have an idea on
what the governments or farmers do in order to improve and develop the
productivity of livestock in the Bale Zone. In Furthermore, the researchers’
recommendation was clear and essential in developing livestock production.
Even though I am satisfied with the recommendation of the researchers, I want to
add to their recommendation. I recommend that governments should implement
 fattening practices or programs, including what kind of feed resources should be
used for livestock fattening. In that way, they will conduct training for the farmers
about the fattening practices. They will be aware of the nutritional value of the
feeds that must be intake by the livestock for the development of livestock
productivity.
3. Present an idea or concept in the article or research which you interest to you,
which you would like to know more to read further. State in your own words as
much as possible but shows where in the article or research the ideas or
concepts occur.
Answer:
The idea or concept in the article or research paper which I am interested in and
would like to know more about to read further is the idea that productivity of
livestock in the study area is poor, because of lack of feed in quality and quantity,
among other factors, especially during the dry season. These ideas or concepts
occur in the 4th paragraph of the introduction. It is stated in the introduction that
our country has the largest livestock population , but productivity is low. So, the
concept was the main problem why they needed to conduct a study in the area.
Through the main problem, researchers conducted a survey to know the results.
The researchers wanted to improve or develop the productivity of the livestock.
Because livestock is the main source of financial income and food for the people
living in the country, it means they are addressing this problem through
evaluating the nutritional value of the major feed resources available and used by
the farmers. During the dry season, there was a shortage of feed and that is why
productivity remains low. Their conducted study was very helpful to the farmers,
who didn't know why the productivity was low. Every farmer must know what they
are going to do to improve the livestock production as well as to improve their
livelihood. 

4. Give an idea or concept with which you disagree, or with the interpretation or
emphasis of which you disagree. Show where in the article or research study it
occurs and show the basis of your disagreement – with what other evidence,
knowledge, or concept of yours does this idea conflict, and why does this other
knowledge seem more valid than the author’s presentation? Be sure to make
your discussion specific.
Answer:
The materials and methods the authors used for the reconnaissance survey in
the course of a study contain the idea or concept with which I disagree. I
disagree because they did not explain the purpose of the surveillance survey or
the method they used. They did not include a connection to it in their topic and
did not offer any supporting ideas. This design, in my opinion, is not suitable for
their research. According to my research, the reconnaissance survey is a
 comprehensive examination of an entire region that could be used as an airfield
or road. Engineers use this reconnaissance survey the most. As a result, a
survey cannot be carried out using a reconnaissance survey. The personal
interview or face-to-face survey is the best way to conduct a survey. A personal
interview survey seeks to investigate the respondents’ responses in order to
acquire additional and more in-depth data. Because I provided information based
on my research, it appears that my knowledge is more reliable than the author’s
presentation.

5. Would you recommend this article or research results to someone? Why or

Why not?
Answer:
Yes, I would recommend this article or research results to someone. That is
because a lot of information will be found in this article that is essential in
developing livestock production as well as the agricultural sector. Specifically to
those individuals who will raise livestock. Additionally, through this article, they
will be knowledgeable about the nutritional value found in some feeds. In that
way, they will be aware of what feeds are suitable and not suitable for improving
the production of the livestock. Furthermore, this article could be their basis or
could if they want to conduct a study in their area. Moreover, the researchers’
recommendations found in the article can be used to resolve their problems with
productivity. For these reasons, there are some places where their problem was
the same as in the article, which is that livestock productivity is low. So,
recommending this article is helpful for the farmers and the community as well as
the country’s economic development. Livestock production has made a big
contribution to economic development , especially today, one of the components
of agriculture, which is livestock and meat production is expanding rapidly.

6. What class or group of readers do you think would find this article or research
useful, helpful or interesting? Why?
Answer:
The class or group of readers I think would find this article or research useful,
helpful or interesting are the group of farmers who used a mixed farming system
in raising the livestock. Agricultural or agribusiness students, instructors,
governments, and agriculturists. First, the group of farmers found this article
useful, because the article has a lot of different information regarding the
nutritional value of feed resources, which can be their basis if the feeds are
suitable for their raising livestock. Some farmers use livestock as their source of
income or as their livelihood to change their lives. Second, the group of
agriculture or agribusiness students would find this article helpful for their chosen
fields. They especially focus not only on the plants but also on examining or
studying the animals. Third, the group of instructors or teachers in college who
 will be interested in studying animals or livestock. This article is useful and
helpful for their profession . Fourth, the governments would find this article useful
as they are planning to improve livestock production ,because they get
knowledge from the recommendations of researchers on how to improve the
productivity of livestock. It will be realized through this article that the livestock
sector has a big contribution to developing the economy and should be their
focus and needs attention. Lastly, the group of agriculturists would find this article
interesting, especially because they are interested in the animals’ nutrition and
they are doing research studies about animals. Therefore, in the article they
found a lot of information as their supporting evidence for their conducted study.
7. Attachment: photocopy or prints of the journals