Crop residue grazing by Bunaji cattle in central Nigeria

Abstract

In central Nigeria, Bunaji cattle spent ? 50% of their dry season grazing time on sorghum, millet, soyabean and rice residues, representing ? 20% of their total annual grazing time. Sorghum and millet stovers were exclusively grazed during the first seven weeks after grain harvest. Thereafter, grazing of crop residues centred on soyabean and rice threshing by-products, and rice stubble and re-growth during the remainder of the dry season. In terms of grazing time, millet stover and rice residues were the most important feed sources, followed by sorghum and soyabeans.