Utilization of Indigenous Fodder Resources for Optimizing Livestock Feed Management in Balochistan, Pakistan

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Published: Sep 15, 2023
Updated: 2023-09-15
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2023-09-15 (2)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31580/pjmls.v6i2.1399
Keywords:
Balochistan, Indigenous fodder resources, Livestock management, Livestock productivity, Mixed feeding, Nutritional gaps, Supplementary feed, Sustainable livestock management

Main Article Content

Abdul Aziz Hassni
Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
Sajid ul Hassan Qureshi
Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
Asadullah
Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, (CASVAB), UoB, Quetta
Hafiz Muhammad Ali
Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Abdul Majeed
Veterinary Research Institute, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
Abdul Salam Baloch
Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
Mansoor Ahmed
Veterinary Research Institute, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan
Irfan Shahzad Sheikh
Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, (CASVAB), UoB, Quetta
Abdul Qayyum
Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Sakina Khan
Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, (CASVAB), UoB, Quetta
Babar Hilal Ahmad Abbasi
Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, (CASVAB), UoB, Quetta
Muhammad Ali Khan
Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, (CASVAB), UoB, Quetta

Abstract

Balochistan, Pakistan, is characterized by its semi-arid and arid climate, posing unique challenges for livestock management. The study delves into the nutritional aspects of locally cultivated fodders, namely lucerne, berseem, and sorghum, uncovering variations in their composition. Lucerne emerges as a valuable protein source with higher protein content compared to berseem and sorghum, while the latter two contribute significantly to roughage due to their higher fiber content. The availability of dry matter and crude protein from Kharif and Rabi fodders underscores their importance in sustaining livestock populations, especially during the Kharif season.
Industrial by-products, such as wheat bran, rice husk, and rice polishing, show promise as supplementary feed sources, offering a means to bridge nutritional gaps in livestock diets. These by-products provide additional energy and nutrients, thereby enhancing livestock productivity.
Balochistan's prevailing livestock feeding practices primarily rely on grazing and locally cultivated fodder, yet these practices may not fully meet nutritional requirements, resulting in suboptimal health and productivity. The study advocates for a more balanced approach, emphasizing mixed feeding, which combines grazing, cultivated fodder, and supplementary feed. This approach holds potential for improving livestock health, meat, and milk production, and economic returns for farmers.
However, achieving balanced feeding practices in Balochistan faces several challenges. These include the seasonal variability in fodder quality and availability, limited awareness of optimal feeding strategies among farmers, and restricted access to supplementary feeds. Addressing these challenges is crucial to promoting sustainable and efficient livestock management practices in the region.

Article Details

How to Cite
Abdul Aziz Hassni, Qureshi, S. ul H., Asadullah, Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Abdul Majeed, Abdul Salam Baloch, Mansoor Ahmed, Irfan Shahzad Sheikh, Abdul Qayyum, Sakina Khan, Babar Hilal Ahmad Abbasi, & Muhammad Ali Khan. (2023). Utilization of Indigenous Fodder Resources for Optimizing Livestock Feed Management in Balochistan, Pakistan. Pak-Euro Journal of Medical and Life Sciences, 6(2), 125–132. https://doi.org/10.31580/pjmls.v6i2.1399 (Original work published July 2, 2023)
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2023): April-June
Section
Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Sajid ul Hassan Qureshi, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan

Balochistan, Pakistan, is characterized by its semi-arid and arid climate, posing unique challenges for livestock management. The study delves into the nutritional aspects of locally cultivated fodders, namely lucerne, berseem, and sorghum, uncovering variations in their composition. Lucerne emerges as a valuable protein source with higher protein content compared to berseem and sorghum, while the latter two contribute significantly to roughage due to their higher fiber content. The availability of dry matter and crude protein from Kharif and Rabi fodders underscores their importance in sustaining livestock populations, especially during the Kharif season. Industrial by-products, such as wheat bran, rice husk, and rice polishing, show promise as supplementary feed sources, offering a means to bridge nutritional gaps in livestock diets. These by-products provide additional energy and nutrients, thereby enhancing livestock productivity. Balochistan's prevailing livestock feeding practices primarily rely on grazing and locally cultivated fodder, yet these practices may not fully meet nutritional requirements, resulting in suboptimal health and productivity. The study advocates for a more balanced approach, emphasizing mixed feeding, which combines grazing, cultivated fodder, and supplementary feed. This approach holds potential for improving livestock health, meat, and milk production, and economic returns for farmers. However, achieving balanced feeding practices in Balochistan faces several challenges. These include the seasonal variability in fodder quality and availability, limited awareness of optimal feeding strategies among farmers, and restricted access to supplementary feeds. Addressing these challenges is crucial to promoting sustainable and efficient livestock management practices in the region.

Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Balochistan, Pakistan, is characterized by its semi-arid and arid climate, posing unique challenges for livestock management. The study delves into the nutritional aspects of locally cultivated fodders, namely lucerne, berseem, and sorghum, uncovering variations in their composition. Lucerne emerges as a valuable protein source with higher protein content compared to berseem and sorghum, while the latter two contribute significantly to roughage due to their higher fiber content. The availability of dry matter and crude protein from Kharif and Rabi fodders underscores their importance in sustaining livestock populations, especially during the Kharif season. Industrial by-products, such as wheat bran, rice husk, and rice polishing, show promise as supplementary feed sources, offering a means to bridge nutritional gaps in livestock diets. These by-products provide additional energy and nutrients, thereby enhancing livestock productivity. Balochistan's prevailing livestock feeding practices primarily rely on grazing and locally cultivated fodder, yet these practices may not fully meet nutritional requirements, resulting in suboptimal health and productivity. The study advocates for a more balanced approach, emphasizing mixed feeding, which combines grazing, cultivated fodder, and supplementary feed. This approach holds potential for improving livestock health, meat, and milk production, and economic returns for farmers. However, achieving balanced feeding practices in Balochistan faces several challenges. These include the seasonal variability in fodder quality and availability, limited awareness of optimal feeding strategies among farmers, and restricted access to supplementary feeds. Addressing these challenges is crucial to promoting sustainable and efficient livestock management practices in the region.

Abdul Qayyum, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Balochistan, Pakistan, is characterized by its semi-arid and arid climate, posing unique challenges for livestock management. The study delves into the nutritional aspects of locally cultivated fodders, namely lucerne, berseem, and sorghum, uncovering variations in their composition. Lucerne emerges as a valuable protein source with higher protein content compared to berseem and sorghum, while the latter two contribute significantly to roughage due to their higher fiber content. The availability of dry matter and crude protein from Kharif and Rabi fodders underscores their importance in sustaining livestock populations, especially during the Kharif season. Industrial by-products, such as wheat bran, rice husk, and rice polishing, show promise as supplementary feed sources, offering a means to bridge nutritional gaps in livestock diets. These by-products provide additional energy and nutrients, thereby enhancing livestock productivity. Balochistan's prevailing livestock feeding practices primarily rely on grazing and locally cultivated fodder, yet these practices may not fully meet nutritional requirements, resulting in suboptimal health and productivity. The study advocates for a more balanced approach, emphasizing mixed feeding, which combines grazing, cultivated fodder, and supplementary feed. This approach holds potential for improving livestock health, meat, and milk production, and economic returns for farmers. However, achieving balanced feeding practices in Balochistan faces several challenges. These include the seasonal variability in fodder quality and availability, limited awareness of optimal feeding strategies among farmers, and restricted access to supplementary feeds. Addressing these challenges is crucial to promoting sustainable and efficient livestock management practices in the region.

Sakina Khan, Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, (CASVAB), UoB, Quetta

Balochistan, Pakistan, is characterized by its semi-arid and arid climate, posing unique challenges for livestock management. The study delves into the nutritional aspects of locally cultivated fodders, namely lucerne, berseem, and sorghum, uncovering variations in their composition. Lucerne emerges as a valuable protein source with higher protein content compared to berseem and sorghum, while the latter two contribute significantly to roughage due to their higher fiber content. The availability of dry matter and crude protein from Kharif and Rabi fodders underscores their importance in sustaining livestock populations, especially during the Kharif season. Industrial by-products, such as wheat bran, rice husk, and rice polishing, show promise as supplementary feed sources, offering a means to bridge nutritional gaps in livestock diets. These by-products provide additional energy and nutrients, thereby enhancing livestock productivity. Balochistan's prevailing livestock feeding practices primarily rely on grazing and locally cultivated fodder, yet these practices may not fully meet nutritional requirements, resulting in suboptimal health and productivity. The study advocates for a more balanced approach, emphasizing mixed feeding, which combines grazing, cultivated fodder, and supplementary feed. This approach holds potential for improving livestock health, meat, and milk production, and economic returns for farmers. However, achieving balanced feeding practices in Balochistan faces several challenges. These include the seasonal variability in fodder quality and availability, limited awareness of optimal feeding strategies among farmers, and restricted access to supplementary feeds. Addressing these challenges is crucial to promoting sustainable and efficient livestock management practices in the region.

Babar Hilal Ahmad Abbasi, Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, (CASVAB), UoB, Quetta

Balochistan, Pakistan, is characterized by its semi-arid and arid climate, posing unique challenges for livestock management. The study delves into the nutritional aspects of locally cultivated fodders, namely lucerne, berseem, and sorghum, uncovering variations in their composition. Lucerne emerges as a valuable protein source with higher protein content compared to berseem and sorghum, while the latter two contribute significantly to roughage due to their higher fiber content. The availability of dry matter and crude protein from Kharif and Rabi fodders underscores their importance in sustaining livestock populations, especially during the Kharif season. Industrial by-products, such as wheat bran, rice husk, and rice polishing, show promise as supplementary feed sources, offering a means to bridge nutritional gaps in livestock diets. These by-products provide additional energy and nutrients, thereby enhancing livestock productivity. Balochistan's prevailing livestock feeding practices primarily rely on grazing and locally cultivated fodder, yet these practices may not fully meet nutritional requirements, resulting in suboptimal health and productivity. The study advocates for a more balanced approach, emphasizing mixed feeding, which combines grazing, cultivated fodder, and supplementary feed. This approach holds potential for improving livestock health, meat, and milk production, and economic returns for farmers. However, achieving balanced feeding practices in Balochistan faces several challenges. These include the seasonal variability in fodder quality and availability, limited awareness of optimal feeding strategies among farmers, and restricted access to supplementary feeds. Addressing these challenges is crucial to promoting sustainable and efficient livestock management practices in the region.

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