Use of local feed resources in the farmers' ram fattening scheme:: technical and economical performance

The ram-fattening scheme in Burkina Faso is currently feed-intensive using material from outside farms, such as cotton cake. In Sahelian Burkina, the high cost of this feed impedes a wide adoption of this fattening technique. Locally available feed resources such as Piliostigma reticulatum (Pr) and Acacia raddiana (At) are potential alternatives to cotton cake (Cc). This study aims at developing feeding strategies that incorporate local resources to partially Substitute for cotton cake and identifying technically and economically efficient rations for extension. Five feed rations were allocated to 45 rams from 15 farmers. Technical and economic data were collected for performance evaluation. The results suggest that rations with 20% Ar + 20% Cc, 10% Ar + 30% Cc and 10% Pr + 30% Cc perform better technically and economically than the control consisting only of 40% Cc. Local feed resources can thus be used to partially replace cotton cake. However, the type of local feed and its level of substitution will require particular attention.