THE EFFECT OF CHANGING THE PADDOCK SYSTEM TO OPEN GRAZING SYSTEM ON PASTURES ON DIARY FARM AT KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY FARM.
ABSTRACT
The proposal will base on survey particularly at Kyambogo University farm Kampala district about the effects of changing the paddocking system to free range system on the pastures at the farm. The proposal will involve sampling different pasture species, observation and identifying the legumes, where the paddocks were originally. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection will be used to make the research findings more reliable and comprehensive. Data will be collected from the farm through interviews, observations and survey.
The objectives of the study will be;
- To identify the native and non-native pasture species at Kyambogo university farm.
- To establish causes of failure of the paddocking system at Kyambogo university farm.
- To identify the possible ways of reducing free range system at kyambogo university.
The main findings of the study will be failure of the paddocking system and percentage population of non-native leguminous pastures.
Pasture grasses and legumes shall be selected from different plots where originally the paddocks were covering.
The major recommendations will be to reconstruct the paddocks to manage properly the pastures and legumes through rotational grazing to allow rejuvenation of healthy and good pastures.
The pastures should be free from contamination with weeds, dung, over grazing. More pastures most especially legumes should be planted after reconstruction of paddocks to allow animals feed on balanced pastures.
Pasture species like Napier grass, silver leaf desmodium, green leaf desmodium, centrosema pubescenes, Chloris gayana and other species.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Introduction
This chapter covers the background of the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research objectives, and research questions, scope of the study and significance of the study.
1.1 Background of the Study
The research will be carried out at kyambogo university farm. A place occupied by different enterprises, dairy, piggery, poultry and goats on small scale.
The farm began in 1972 and is located on the Eastern part of kyambogo hill, near the palace. It was intended to train agricultural teachers when it was an Institution of Teachers Education Kyambogo (ITEK). In 2001, ITEK became a university.
The farm originally occupied 100 acres of land with the carrying capacity of 100 animals. Currently, the carrying capacity has exceeded to 85 animals yet the land is now 60 acres of land because 20 acres were taken by Buganda Kingdom for the palace of Banda and others for farm structures and kyambogo college demonstration farm.
Originally there were five paddocks before one was taken comprising of a piggery paddock, calf paddock and three for dairy cows.
Collapse of the paddocking system has affected the productivity of the farm in case of non-native pasture species, over grazing and contamination with dung weeds hence the need for research.
Slow decision making by the university Executive Committee and lack of immediate support where necessary is affecting the farm. The carrying capacity was exceeded due to slow decision making to reduce on the animals to maintain the carrying capacity of the farm.
The university shall have to support the construction of already vanished/ damaged structures most especially paddocks, poultry units, piggery units which has a lot of potholes which are lively breeding grounds for disease causing organisms and milking parlors.
Research shall also encompass some weeds which are useless pastures for the animals.
Consequently, the university shall have the responsibility of constructing the new paddocks and other structures on the farm for effective supervision, proper management of pastures and maintaining the carrying capacity of the farm to reduce overgrazing.
Economically the paddocks will be beneficial in managing the rotational system of grazing to allow pasture rejuvenation.
Paddocks will allow the workers to manage the animals and proper record keeping plus the performance of the animals.
Dairy animals shall be able to produce more milk than the quantity produced on free range system which is taking place at the farm.
Integrated pasture species shall reduce soil erosion and paddocks will reduce foot paths in the farm which has covered some pastures of the farm.
Statement of the Problem
Uganda’s economy largely depends on agriculture. Dairy management is a major activity practiced at the farm to equip agriculture students with knowledge in animals and do their research on the management principles of animals.
Although the attendants/workers of the farm would like to increase the productive capacity of the farm, they fail due to the problem of the collapse of the paddocks that lead to extinction of some leguminous pastures, more foot paths in the farm.
Free range system results into contamination of pastures, over grazing.
The purpose of the study will be to advise the university to reconstruct the paddocks, damaged structures, and finance the farm where necessary in time and respond appropriately to the workers’ petitions for effective productivity of the farm.
Objectives of the Study
Objectives of the study will be;
- To establish what led to the collapse of paddocking system at kyambogo university farm.
- To identify the native and non-native pasture species at kyambogo university farm.
- To identify possible ways of reducing free range system.
Significance of the Study
The study will base on creating awareness of the benefits of the paddocking system on dairy animals at the farm and the university.
It will help workers to manage pastures properly and collecting dung from paddocks to reduce contamination in rotational grazing.
The study also shall increase on the supervision and monitoring with proper records within the paddocking system.
The Scope of the Study.
The study shall be limited to kyambogo university farm because some demarcations of the collapsed paddocks are existing which can give reliable data in the area of interest of native and non-native pasture species that shall be intended for in this research.
Research Questions
- What were the non-native pastures species introduced on the farm?
- What were the factors that led to the collapse of the paddocking system?
- Which problems are affecting the farm?
- Which native pasture species present at the farm?
Definition of Terms
Pasture rejuvenation: To allow pasture restore vigor, good appearance and young and being palatable to the animals.
Paddocking system: A fenced area, usually for grazing animals with different sections/paddocks.
Free range system: Animals graze freely without control on pasture around the farm.
Native pastures: Grazing environments that are usually dominated by native grasses.
Non-native pastures: Grazing environments that are not dominated by native pastures and are just introduced to a new place.
