The value of trees as fodder for livestock in orthern Namibia

摘要

The major problem affecting livestock farmers in the Northern communal of Namibia is the shortage of fodder especially during the dry season and critical during droughts, which are frequent. The main option available to livestock owners is to increasethe utilization of browse. Browse can be a major constituent of livestock diets supplying palatable and nutritious material when the grasses have long dried (Everson 1997). It is often the only green material available to animals during the dry season (Rees 1974, Sibanda 1986). Various parts of trees are utilized as animal feeds; the fruits provide high quality fodder (Walker 1980, Miller 1995). In most parts of Namibia due to the high stock numbers there is a general deterioration of the rangelands, which leads to increased dominance of woody species.