Establishment and Evaluation of Brachiaria-Based Pasture Systems for Improved Productivity of Cattle, Sheep and Goats at Federal Polytechnic Wannune, Benue State, Nigeria

A field and livestock evaluation was conducted at Federal Polytechnic Wannune, Benue State, Nigeria, to compare
the productivity and feeding value of three Brachiaria-based pastures: Brachiaria brizantha (T1), Brachiaria
decumbens (T2) and the hybrid Mulato II (T3). The pasture phase was arranged in a randomized complete block
design with three replicates and was evaluated during the first phase of twelve weeks. Baseline soil was sandy
loam with pH 5.63, organic carbon of 1.42% and total nitrogen of 0.13%. Plant height, tiller density, annual dry
matter yield, chemical composition, fibre fractions, in vitro dry matter digestibility, live-weight performance of
cattle, sheep and goats, and carrying capacity were determined. Treatment means were compared by analysis of
variance and Duncan's multiple range test, while relationships among selected variables were assessed by
correlation analysis. Plant-height differences among pastures were not significant at 4, 8 or 12 weeks after
planting (P = 0.103-0.123). Mulato II had the greatest tiller density (842.5 tillers/m²) and annual dry matter yield
(18.42 t/ha/year), whereas B. decumbens had the lowest corresponding values (595.4 tillers/m² and 11.68
t/ha/year). Mulato II also had the greatest crude protein (15.6%) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (69.8%) and
the lowest neutral detergent fibre (58.3%). The recorded average daily gains were 0.71, 0.12 and 0.10 kg/day for
cattle, sheep and goats, respectively, on Mulato II; its estimated carrying capacity was 3.5 tropical livestock
units/ha. Crude protein was positively associated with average daily gain (r = 0.89; P < 0.01), neutral detergent
fibre was negatively associated with digestibility (r = -0.86; P < 0.01), and dry matter yield was positively
associated with carrying capacity (r = 0.93; P < 0.001). Results indicated that Mulato II had the strongest overall
potential for productive ruminant pasture systems in the study environment.

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