Dự án nông nghiệp " Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension Programme " MS7 ppt

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 010/06VIE Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension Programme MS7: Project Technical Report A September 2008 2 Table of Contents POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF BEEF PRODUCTION IN NGHE AN PROVINCE. 3 Introduction 3 1. Size of Farmers Land Holding: 3 2. Reduction in Common Grazing Land: 3 3. Lack of Genetic Potential in Local Breeds of Beef Cattle: 4 4. Lack of Forage Options: 4 5. Lack of High Quality Conserved Feed for Winter: 4 6. Lack of Capital: 5 7. Cattle Ownership: 5 8. Lack of Extension Infrastructure: 5 9. Lack of Stable Market: 6 10. Disease Risk: 6 PREDICTED CHANGES IN BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS 7 Changes in Nutrition levels 2000 - 2008 7 The Effects of Genetic Improvement: 7 Potential for increased production and improved profitably 9 USE OF A “VILLAGE BULL SYSTEM”: 10 NEW TROPICAL GRASSES AND LEGUMES 11 Pasture Production Data 12 NGHE AN TRAINING REPORT 13 Use of Key Farmers as an Extension Method within the Project: 13 Training Schedule Log for the Project: 15 PROJECT REPORT SUMMARY: 16 Conclusion: 16 Abbreviations AI Artificial Insemination BCFRC Bavi Cattle & Forage Research Centre Co Company Demo Demonstration DM Dry Matter g Gram Ha Hectare Kg Kilogram KjME Kilojoules of Metabolisable Energy Ltd Limited LWT Live weight ME Metabolisable energy PA Per Year ToT Trainers of Trainers W/S Workshops WM Wet Matter Yr Year 3 Potential for Development of Beef Production in Nghe An Province. Introduction The AusAID project set out to evaluate the potential of beef production systems in Nghe An Province and also lay the foundation for expansion of beef productions. In February 2007 a number of one-on-one interventions and farmer workshops evaluated the barriers and restriction to the development of beef production. The key finds were:- 1. lack of size of farmer land holdings 2. reduction in common grazing land 3. lack of genetic potential 4. lack of forage options 5. lack of high quality conserved feed over winter. The project team over the last 12-months has addressed each of these barriers to development and found that modern technologies can overcome the majority of these 6. lack of capital 7. cattle ownership seen as a “family bank rather than a commercial enterprise 8. lack of extension infrastructure 9. lack of stable markets 10. risk of risk 1. Size of Farmers Land Holding: The size of farmers land holdings range from 2,500m 2 – 30,000 m 2 . The majority of the land is required for horticulture for cash crops or production of forage. Cattle were held for draft, grazed and fed waste bi-product in dry form over the winter dry months. The number of cattle was controlled by availability of grazing areas, labour and the availability of winter forage and financial return. The project has found that farmers with land areas as small as 3,000 m 2 can effectively support 5-6 cattle as long as they can access bi-product from other farmers. This is twice the traditional number for a smallholder without access to common grazing land 2. Reduction in Common Grazing Land: Intensification of cropping and land use for forestry and other uses is having a marked effect on the availability of land for common grazing. Also the number of family units supported in the villages is increasing. Where traditional farmers in the past had free access to large areas the availability is reducing and farmers have to rely more and more on cut and carry or growing specialised crops, for animal production. In one village a farmer cooperative had 120 buffalo that went out to graze the surplus common land. This cooperative had to be disbanded in 2000 as available common grazing land decreased and was put into cropping and forestry. 4 The introduction of new technologies involving forage crops will see farmers move to full cut and carry operation in the future (see labour section, and forage production). 3. Lack of Genetic Potential in Local Breeds of Beef Cattle: A number of factors have controlled the availability and selection of the cattle genetic base used by farmers. The main factor in the past has been the very low nutritional levels available over winter meaning only small body weight animals could survive the winter. There is now a wide range of new genetics in Vietnam, ie Brahman, Droughtmaster, Simmental, Red Angus and Sindi. The speed of improvement in genetics needs to be in-line with (1), the nutrient levels available (2) the ability of the small local female cattle to give birth to larger calves (3) cows having the ability to rear calves sired by new breeds. Genetic improvement programme are long-term ventures. The project has introduced Red Sindi bulls as stage I. Once Red Sindi crossbred female replacements are mature, there will be the opportunity to introduce a third breed i.e. Droughtmaster and Red Angus. A small three year project can only just start a genetic improvement programme and will require on-going support to be effective. 4. Lack of Forage Options: Traditional farmers had little knowledge of nutrient balancing or the need to provide stable high protein diets to cattle. Rice straw and dry maize stover, corn powder and banana stem were the main diet of cattle over the winter. The new technologies have changed that completely; farmers now have forage option such as: Species Best Farmers Peak Production Estimated PA 1 Production Napier Grass 80,000 kg WM 2 50,000 kg DM 3 /Yr Mulatto II 42,000 kg WM 40,000 kg DM/Yr Paspalum 48,000 kg WM 42,000 kg DM/Yr Green Feed Maize (3x crops) 30,000 kg WM 35,000 kg DM/Yr Sorghum Unknown 1 PA= per year 2 WM= wet matter kg/ha: 3 DM=drymatter These new forage options are revolutionising animal husbandry in tropical areas. The biggest area of concern now is training farmers to manage the forages and maximise quality and utilisation over the wet season and conserve feed for the dry season; including understanding that maximising yield does not provide a quality diet for animals. 5. Lack of High Quality Conserved Feed for Winter: The traditional conservation method for forages and bi-product in the past has been drying rice straw, corn stover. Hay from wild grass has been the main source of conserved forage. The quality of these feeds has been extremely low, providing little more than other high fibre sources. 5 The project has introduced silage technologies to the farmers. The up take of this technology has been varied; however, the best farmers have seen the tremendous benefits. The best combinations of silage are: 1. Napier grass 70% cassava leaf 30% 2. green maize stove 60% cassava leaf and top 40% 3. sugar cane top 70% cassava leaf and top 30% 4. Napier grass with additives All four options increase nutrient levels of conserved feed well above any traditional methods. These conservation options also reduce fibre and increase intake. The cost of these options is all low (i.e. 500-600 dong/kg DM. 6. Lack of Capital: Lack of capital and low returns from beef cattle has been and still is a barrier to technology uptake. Only time, a stable market and confidence in the technologies will change the availability of capital. Farmers are reporting 1.5million – 3 million dong profit (after labour) from each mature breeding cow. 7. Cattle Ownership: Farmers approach to beef cattle production systems is very different to a western “commercial” model. Vietnamese farmers see cattle rearing as a “family bank” and a method of accumulating wealth for important events (e.g. weddings and funerals) or for investment. Examples within the project to-date are: (1). Sale of 60% cattle to build a new house (2). Sale of 40% cattle to build a small shop (3). Sale of 50% cattle to invest in a petrol station (4). Sale of 50% cattle so son could get married (5). Sale of 100% of cattle to set son up in a transport business due to ill health of father Eight of the 9 key farmers all want to continue with beef production and increase the numbers of cattle over time. All have the confidence to continue and there is strong support from the Village leaders. 8. Lack of Extension Infrastructure: There is a lack of qualified animal husbandry extension workers in the Nghia Dan District. There is an office in the Hoa Township 20km away, however, this office can only service the township farmers and can provide little support to the project area. There are farmer association leaders in each village, however, there focus is mainly on horticulture, policy and there is little depth of understanding in animal husbandry. Village leaders are supportive of the project but are not qualified animal husbandry technicians. The best (at present only) extension activity is that provided by the key project farmers and the project team members. There has not been a pool of extension workers to become TOT’s. This is the biggest weakness of the project. 6 The project has only trained four technicians as ToTs (Mr Toan and Mr Ly & Mr Dzoney and Mr Lu). 9. Lack of Stable Market: The beef cattle market is poorly developed in the area with all farmers selling their cattle to a small local slaughter or middle man. Very few cattle are reared to a full slaughter weight. Most sales are at around 100-180kg. In the project area there is no farmers specialising in cattle fattening and growing cattle to high quality (full slaughter) liveweight. There is definitely opportunity to form farmer cooperatives to improve supply chain returns to the local farmers. The project is looking at the supply chain and the possible formation of a farmer cooperative for beef farmers. 10. Disease Risk: There is a high disease risk from mainly “foot & mouth” in the area. Vaccination is undertaken by the district technicians, however, small isolated villages are sometimes missed, which destabilises the market. Other diseases are likely to be an issue as well such as: ¾ Anthrax ¾ T.B. ¾ Brucellosis ¾ Toxoplasmosis ¾ Leptospirosis ¾ Liver Fluke ¾ Internal parasites ¾ External parasites ¾ Heat stress 7 Predicted Changes in Beef production systems Changes in Nutrition levels 2000 - 2008 The project undertook an evaluation of the nutrient values of forage rations in the second year of the project. Farmers were asked to nominate a typical cattle ration for a breeding cow (non lactating). Each farmer was asked for a typical diet for pre 2000, pre project (2005) and post project (early winter - late winter) in 2008. Information was provided in kg of wet matter per cow/day. The diets from each farmer were put into a nutrient model (see appendix 1) to estimate kg DM, grams of protein, KJ ME, grams CF. The model took estimated values from standard feed tables. Figure 1 compares the results and percentage of change from pre 2000 and the change pre project (2005) and post project (2008). The post project ratio comparison compares early and late winter (dry season) feeding levels. Figure 1. Estimated feeding levels to breeding cow ( Live Weight 280kg) Winter feeding Kg/Wet Matter/day Kg DM/Day Protein intake KJ ME Crude Fibre (g/day) Traditional Feed pre 2000 12.7 3.5 448 33 912 Traditional Feed pre-project 14.7 4.5 581 43 1236 Feeding post project early winter 23.6 4.7 895 47 852 Feeding post project late winter 20.2 4.4 823 47 934 % Change from pre 2000 Traditional Feed pre-project (2005) 16% 28% 30% 27% 36% Feeding post project early winter (2008) 85% 33% 100% 41% -7% Feeding post project late winter (2008) 59% 26% 84% 41% 2% % Change from pre project (2005) Feeding post project early winter 60% 4% 54% 11% -31% Feeding post project late winter 37% -1% 42% 11% -24% This model showed that there was some change from traditional feed pre 2000 to pre–project 2005; this change was significant. However, there has been considerable change also between pre and post project. The most important change is the increase in protein intake and the reduction in fibre intake. This change is already driving up growth rates in the project cattle with the best project farmers achieving calf growth rates of 0.68kg/day; this is double traditional growth rates. The change in nutrient supply to beef animals is essential to support not only increased growth rates and production, but also to support the high body weight and mature size of the beef cattle in the future. The Effects of Genetic Improvement: The genetic improvement programme undertaken pre and post project will mean that cow mature LWT will most likely increased from approximately 300kg – 400kg over a 8 20 year period. This LWT increased will result in an approximately 32% increase in feed demand (see figure II). Figure II. Vietnamese Beef Cattle estimate change in Mature Live weight (kg) of local cattle over 20 years Year 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 % Change Mature Female LWT 295 330 354 378 405 37% KJ ME Required Maintenance 40 44 46 48 50 24% Average ME 10.2 10.4 10.6 10.8 11.0 8% Peak Milk Production 11 12 13 14 15 37% KJ ME Required Milk 55 61 65 70 75 37% KJ ME Required total 95 105 111 118 125 32% Figure II models the likely increase in mature LWT over the next 20-years as genetic and nutritional change takes place. The model assumes an increase in the ME levels of the forage fed and genetic improvement will increased milk production of the beef cows. It is important that these changes flow through into increase efficiency of production. The above genetic and nutritional change is likely to flow through in calf growth rates and ME demand as well. Figure III. Estimated mean calf live weight at 6 months age Year 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 % Change 6 month LWT (kg) 70 90 120 125 130 86% ADG (kg/day) 0.30 0.41 0.58 0.61 0.63 111% KJ ME Required Maintenance 13 16 20 20 21 57% Average ME 10.2 10.4 10.6 10.8 11.0 8% KJ ME Required growth 10 14 19 20 21 111% KJ ME Required total 33 40 50 51 53 58% Figure III models the likely change in 6-month LWT of calves over the next 20-years and there ME demand. A 58% increase in ME supply is required to sustain this scenario. Again it is essential that these changes flow through into productivity, efficiency and increased profit. Figure IV Weeks and feed required to produced 280 LWT calf for sale Weeks to sale 280Kg) 133 97 69 66 63 -53% Feed KJME to sale 31189 27247 24006 23654 23327 -25% Feed Requirement Cow+Calf/yr KJME Required per yr 46900 52948 58734 61776 64965 39% Kg LWT Produced/yr 130 170 231 241 251 94% Efficiency Grams of LWT /KJME 2.7612 3.2117 3.9311 3.9017 3.8662 40% Figure IV model looks at efficiency in two ways; firstly in the number of weeks to sale for a 280kg calf and secondly as grams of LWT produced per kgME. The model predicts a 53% decrease in weeks to sale and a 40% increase in efficiency a measured by grams LWT/kgME. 9 These models are only an estimate of change; but do highlight some of the issues that farmers will face over this period, as well as the importance of improving nutrient supply and balance, if international standards of beef production are to be achieved by small farmers in Nghe An Province. The big question is how these changes flow through into increased profit for local farmers. Potential for increased production and improved profitably. Estimating the cost of feed and the effect on profit is extremely difficult as farmers do not value their time or most of the forages (including meal) which is home grown. One guide is the difference in the value of corn meal (kg & ME) compared to the cost of bi-product or pasture silage 230d/kgME vs 130d/kgME. In the 3 project villages there is an estimated 4270 hectares of horticultural land with 660ha maize grown, 413 hectares of cassava as a source of bi-product. Very high yields of bio-mass were recorded from Napier grass and other tropical pasture (see Figure V). The combinations of new pasture, and bi-product conservation provides small farmers (with 5,000m 2 land) the ability to move from raising 2-3 cattle to 6-8 cattle with post-project nutrient levels 30-50% higher and growth rates 50-100% faster . Figure V. Base data for project site. Village Nghia Son Nghia Lum Nghia Yen Total Horticultural land (ha) 1177 1808 1283 4268 No Small Holders 880 1560 1178 3618 Village population 3980 7558 5786 17324 Total No Labour units 1405 1605 2000 5010 Average ha/small holder 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2 Average no labour/small holder 1.6 1.0 1.7 1.4 No Smallholders raising Cattle/buffalo 400 774 863 2037 Total No Cattle 332 720 503 1555 Total No Buffalo 725 1602 1595 3922 0 Total area maize/village (ha) 205 250 205 660 Total area cassave/village (ha) N/A 108 305 413 Total area sugar cane/village (ha) 89 459 880 1428 Total area oranges/village (ha) 264 94 41 399 Total area other crop/village (ha) 437 357 345 1139 Total area Pasture/village (ha) 16 N/A 1.5 17.5 Total area forestry (ha) 376 497 886 1759 The combination of technologies has the potential to increase productivity of small holders by 100% to 200% without dramatic increases in forage cost;. ie from 1555 to over 3000 cattle. A more in-depth economic evaluation will be undertaken at the end of the project; however, early indications are that beef production is profitable. 10 Use of a “Village Bull System”: The three Red Sindi cross (75% B and 25% yellow cattle) village bulls were delivered to the project by Mr. Toan on the 7 June 2008. They were all similar in age (19 to 20 months old); weight (340 to 350 kg LW), and colour (red-brown) (see photo’s below). All three bulls were in excellent condition. Project farmers will get their cows mated free, while non-project farmers pay VD 50,000 per mating (compared to VD 70,000 that is the rate charged in nearby Thai Hoa township). Toan has provided the three farmers with a recording book and written manual that includes feeding guides, based around fresh grass (or fresh hay) and a concentrate mix. By the 25 June several matings had occurred; e.g. Mr Heip’s bull had mated two cows. In visiting non-project farmers near Thai Hoa, 12 km from 19 th May we met a farmer who had been given a Red Sindi bull to use as a village bull that was mating 45 village cows a month. 1. Bull at Nghia Som (Heip’s family) 2. Bull at Mr. Ming’s 3. Bull at Nghia Yen (Tu’s family) The project introduced AI equipment and semen into the project in 2007. The project employed a highly skilled AI technician to train another technician in the area and provided 30 days training to the technician. While the highly skilled project technician was on site AI was successful but was mainly limited to a few project cattle. The AI system collapsed after 3-months once the quality technician left the area there was not the in-depth support or infrastructure in the area at this time. Without a strong cattle breeding station, good support, the use of AI is limited. The project switched to a “village bull” system; purchasing three Red Sindi bulls and contracted them out to farmers to raise and feed. This system has been successful with some 50 cattle mated over the first 4-months of the scheme. The farmers are becoming more confident in the system and more farmers are bringing their cows to 3 2 1 [...]... undertaken in the villages as well as at BCFRC Bavi The highlight of training was the 5 days training trip to Ubon Ratchathani University in Thailand The training was lead by Dr Michael Hare The training focused on the use of tropical pasture, animal husbandry and village based seed production Use of Key Farmers as an Extension Method within the Project: The Nghia Dan District is very large and the project... of the project Training falls into 5 categories i.e workshops, field training, demonstrations, practical and intensive overseas training Thirty three training events have been completed in the last 18-months Three hundred and fifty six participants have been exposed to the training events involving 209 farmers and 136 technicians and a total of 471 hours of training has been delivered Training has been... sugarcane and cassava bi-product is high in most villages and these bi-product have been under utilised in the past The conservation of Napier grass, maize and cassava leaf by using silage technology is possible in all villages This technology can improve the winter nutrient and number of cattle supported over winter by 100% in most areas Through the use of crossbreeding and new genetics for beef cattle. .. the future The Company is developing some animal husbandry skills and has developed a 34 cow dairy herd with 16 milking cows The management level is 13 improving and it is still hoped to have them implement a range of the new technologies The key farmers have been active in involving their local farmers in training and especially in project activities such as silage making, sowing and harvesting new... increase beef production in Nghe An Province significantly In the high fertility soils, Napier grass production between 50-80 tons DM/ha; Mulatto II between 25-40 tons DM/ha; and Paspalum between 25-40 tons DM/ha This level of bio-mass production can support 6-10 cattle/ ha; where the small holder continues to have a mixture of horticulture and animal husbandry production The availability of maize, sugarcane... available in the future and support an AI service for 3 way crossing New Tropical Grasses and Legumes The 1st demonstration plantings of new tropical species (Mulato II, Ubon paspalum and Ubon Stylo) from Thailand are now nearly 12 months old All the new pastures sown in April/May 2008 on village farms in Nghia Son, Nghia Lam and Nghia Yen were from seed purchased from Thailand in March 2008 These... rates of cattle by 100% if supported by better nutrition The status quo for beef production is not sustainable as common grazing land is reducing by 10-20% per year in many areas Beef production must become more specialised and intensive to provide good profit and family incomes There is potential for larger 20-50 beef cattle fattening units to be established in the area Risk factors are still high and. .. April 2008 This was very effective and encouraging the key farmers and demonstrating the opportunities to developing beef production Many of the new technologies were completely new to the region and this was very important to trial the technologies and make sure that they were robust and suitable Mullato II and Paspalum had never been planted in Vietnam at the beginning of the project The use of Napier... some parts of Nghia Dan district are low However, in some towns there are qualified and motivated technicians with good experience Conclusion: The Nghia Dan district is a good location for the development of beef cattle production and has the potential to support higher cattle numbers and more specialised and intensive beef production units 16 ... Napier grass .and a tour of project extension and farmers to east Thailand in March 2008 The high quality of seed and the rapid germination and establishment of the new seeds has impressed project farmers Detailed comments on individual farmers are reported in Appendix 2 1 Mr Ha; good rotation established in 8 week old Mulato II 2 19th May Company, 6 weeks after sowing between wide row rubber plantation . Development 010/06VIE Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension Programme MS7: Project Technical Report. common grazing land 2. Reduction in Common Grazing Land: Intensification of cropping and land use for forestry and other uses is having a marked effect on the availability of land for common. revolutionising animal husbandry in tropical areas. The biggest area of concern now is training farmers to manage the forages and maximise quality and utilisation over the wet season and conserve