Energy (calories) is usually the most limiting nutrient. Protein is normally the most expensive, in cash terms, if one assumes that part of this is in the form of purchased supplementary feed; or in terms of time if the livestock keeper is required to invest time and effort in gathering and preparing a fodder resource. Deficiencies, excesses, and imbalances of vitamins and minerals can limit animal performance and lead to various health problems. Dietary fibre, or bulk, is also an important and vital component of the diet to maintain a healthy rumen environment and prevent digestive problems.
Water is often the cheapest and simplest feed ingredient, yet often the most neglected. An adequate supply of water may also present particular problems in more arid environments where, for example, considerable energy may be expended simply travelling to and from a distant water source.
Information currently available on the nutrient requirements of local or indigenous breeds of smallstock for optimum production and fertility is generally poor. Much of the available information on their requirements have been extrapolated from those of exotic farm animals with little adaptation for the additional considerations or requirements needed to cope with climatic and other environmental stresses and disease challenges, and without a clear perspective of what the animals are actually kept for. Similarly, there are differences in the genetic capacity of the animals to grow, put on weight and reproduce, and in specific adaptations - some of them may be behavioural - that may assist local or indigenous breeds to cope.
The substitution of exotic breeds for local breeds of livestock may not result in the expected increases in productivity. Without the required feed resources, high performance breeds may not be high performers. In Ethiopia, for example, a study comparing the outputs of improved goats (Anglo-Nubian x Somali) with those of local breeds revealed that improved goats, while they grew faster, were much more susceptible to weight loss during the dry season, offsetting the previous gains. Although the improved goats gave more milk per animal, this was not the case when the yield was calculated in relation to body weight. In such cases it is important to recognise that the most important factor may not in fact be productivity, and that the ability of the animal to survive in an uncertain and variable environment may be of greater importance.
Satisfying the nutrient requirements of local or indigenous breeds of smallstock is a much greater problem, particularly as the feed sources may change dramatically in availability and quality throughout the year. As a result, satisfying the annual nutrient requirements of smallstock for optimum production is seldom achieved and the nearest the average farmer can do is maintain the bodyweight or other production losses during a feed deficit period to an acceptable level and to reduce mortality to a minimum. The toolbox provides examples of husbandry practices and feed storage and alternative feed items which will help the target institution guide farmers with seasonal feed problems. This is supported by background information designed to improve understanding and awareness of the issues surrounding these concerns. For example, a basic understanding of nutrition and dietary requirements is required before one can consider and adopt possible improvements.
