Seasonal dynamics of forage nutrition in smallholder goat production systems in Malawi

Forage and browse are a valuable natural resource in Malawi that can be used to support livestock production which, in turn, can contribute towards delivering income and nutrition to households and communities. However, the quality and quantity of forages can be poor, especially during the dry season. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional composition of naturally available forages across smallholder livestock systems in Malawi, with particular focus on seasonal differences in quality and quantity. Samples of herbaceous forages and browse were collected over 17 months, across four sites (30 farms/smallholders) in central Malawi. Forages underwent nutritional analysis for crude protein, fibre and ash/organic matter. NDVI obtained from satellite imagery was used as a proxy for forage availability. Forage nutrition and availability were most adequate in the wet season, with higher concentrations of crude protein and a greater availability of herbaceous plants. There were significant differences in low-digestibility fibre fractions between locations, likely due to local factors such as soil and hydrology. The fall in crude protein concentrations from the wet season to the dry season along with a reduction in forage biomass represents a seasonal nutritional feed gap that may impact productivity within livestock systems.