J. Kulich and G.S. Nambayo
Mochipapa National Animal Husbandry and Pasture
Research Station, Choma
Zambia
Cattle production is important in Zambia but productivity is low, due in part to the poor nutritive value of natural pastures, particularly in the dry season. Other constraints include poor management, high cost of inputs and low product prices. To improve the nutrition of the grazing animal, a research programme has been developed with emphasis on the integrated use of cultivated and flood-plain pastures. The major contributions of the legume were to prolong the period of liveweight again and to reduce or eliminate dry-season weight losses. Well-adapted pasture crops with high seed yield have been identified.
