Abstract:

Pastoralists of south-west Uganda crossbreed Holstein Friesian bulls with indigenous Ankole
cattle. Aim of this breeding strategy is to enhance milk yields. Present diploma thesis wants
to find out, if there are differences between pastures stocked with different breeds. Data on
pasture management, pasture vegetation, plant traits, pasture productivity and nutrient
composition was collected on 10 farms close to Mbarara.
Analysis of collected data lead to following results: There are differences in pasture
management and in effects of bushes, shrubs and trees between pastures stocked with
different breeds. Pastures stocked with Ankole cattle were more likely to be subjected to
erosion. Composition of herbaceous pasture vegetation is changing. Problems caused by
weeds are independent from herd type a pasture is stocked with. There are significant
differences in some plant traits between pastures stocked with different breeds. Fresh and
dry matter yields are significantly different but dry matter content did not show significant
differences between pastures stocked with different breeds. Of all nutrients analyzed only
crude protein content showed significant differences between pastures stocked with different
breeds.