Feed balances for ruminant livestock: gridded estimates for data-constrained regions

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Animal Nutrition
• Remote Sensing

Background:

• Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing demand for animal-source foods and livestock feed.
• Accurate estimation of livestock feed availability is crucial for effective decision-making at all governance levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feed balances for ruminant livestock in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.
• To identify feed scarcity hotspots and inform policy interventions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized remotely sensed products and detailed feed composition data to estimate feed availability.
• Employed a data-intensive model to calculate feed requirements for various livestock physiological states.
• Quantified biomass availability and energy requirements across different agro-ecological zones.

Main Results:

• Estimated biomass availability varied significantly, from 1.0 to 8.6 tonnes of dry matter per hectare.
• Identified feed scarcity hotspots, particularly in the Ethiopian highlands and Burkina Faso's Sahelian zone.
• Quantified energy requirements for lactating cows, highlighting regional differences.

Conclusions:

• Feed balances are critical for optimizing livestock productivity and resilience in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Demand- and supply-side policies are needed to address feed scarcity hotspots.
• Improving feed balances can minimize climate shock impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.