Improved feeding systems for more efficient beef cattle production in Cambodia

Project ID:

AH/2003/008

Collaborating Countries:

Cambodia

Commissioned Organisation:

University of New England, Australia

Project Leader

Professor John Nolan
Phone: 02 6773 2605
Fax: 02 6773 3922
Email: jnolan@une.edu.au

Collaborating Institutions:

Department of Animal Health and Production, Cambodia
Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia
International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Cambodia

Project Budget:

$621,652

Project Duration:

01/03/2008 - 31/08/2011

ACIAR Research Program Manager

Dr Doug Gray

Project Overview

While most farmers in Cambodia keep cattle for draught and wealth accumulation, some can see the potential of cattle production as a source of income. But providing feed for cattle is a major challenge for 8 months of the year, and this problem is compounded by labour demands (up to 8 hours daily) associated with feeding cattle. This project seeks to increase cattle productivity of smallholder farmers in Cambodia by improving feed availability and quality throughout the year and reducing the labour requirements associated with feeding cattle. It capitalises on the recent introduction of improved forages and fodder banks to Kampong Cham by CIAT (Livelihood and Livestock Systems Project, Jan 2003-Dec 2005), and will apply the successful feed-year management approach developed through the ACIAR project LPS/1998/035.