Herbage Yield and Nutritive Value of Natural Pasture Hay at Varying Levels of Cutting Time in Benishangul Gumuz, Western Ethiopia

Authors : Alayu Tarekegn, Misganaw Assefe, Kedija Ahmed, Habtamu Alebachew, Mesfin Dejene

Pages : 791-797

Doi:10.47115/bsagriculture.1700657

View : 64 | Download : 209

Publication Date : 2025-11-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study was conducted to determine the optimal time for regrowth and assess the herbage yield and nutritive value of natural pasture hay at various clearing cuts. The experiment was conducted in the Bambasi and Homosha districts of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, representing midland and lowland agroecologies, respectively. Clearing of the pasture land by randomly assigned plot size of 5*8 m from three blocks was made in early June, early July, early August, and early September, along with an uncut control plot. The study began at the start of the rainy season, with hay preparation occurring once the pasture reached 50% flowering. In the mid-altitude areas, the primary grass species in the natural pasture was Hyparrhenia hirta, while the dominant legumes were Stylosanthus fruticosa. In contrast, the lowland areas were primarily home to the grass species Hyparrhenia ruffa and Guizotia scabra. The study showed that location and interaction effects did not significantly impact plot vigor, plot cover, plant height, fresh biomass, or dry matter yield of the pasture land. However, the timing of clearing cuts had significant effects (P<0.001) on all measured parameters. The regrowth from clearing cuts conducted in early July contained desirable plant species, good plant cover, plant residue cover, and improved plant vigor for natural pasture hay preparation. The natural pasture dry matter yield was highest when clearing took place in early June (7.46 t/ha) and early July (6.87 t/ha). The overall mean crude protein (CP) content of the natural pasture hay was lower in early June (3.17%) and in the control group (2.26%), compared to the CP content in early July (4.86%). One of the challenges in these areas is the long rainy season, which complicates hay preparation from the natural pasture. This issue can be addressed by clearing the land in early July or by grazing livestock until early July and promoting regrowth to harvest and prepare hay from late October to early November. Lastly, developing a forage bank and marketing the abundant biomass found in the pastureland of western Ethiopia could also help alleviate the livestock feed gap of the smallholder farmers.
Keywords : Clearing cuts, Hay, Hyparrhenia hirta, Hyparrhenia ruffa, Natural pasture

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