Cattle Feeding and Management Practices of Small-holder Farmers in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia

Abstract

Almost all cattle in Cambodia are produced by small-holder farmers. The cattle are raised in an extensive way for draught power and wealth accumulation purposes. Feed availability is a major challenge for farmers associated with poor management which limits cattle productivity. This study reports a survey which was conducted to describe the cattle feeding and management practices of small-scale farmers in Cambodia. Sixty farmers raising cattle in Kang Meas and Tbong Khmum districts in Kampong Cham Province were randomly selected for an interview in 2008. On average the interviewed farmers raised 4-5 cattle per household. Most of them had cows aged older than 3 years which were mainly kept for breeding. More than 80% of cattle in Kang Meas were crossbred, but about 40% of cattle in Tbong Khmum were local breed. Very few farmers practiced weaning and none timed the date for their cows to calve. However, most of them selected a bull in their village for mating to cows. No artificial insemination was practiced in the village. The majority of farmers vaccinated their cattle to prevent the Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS) while very few de-wormed their cattle. Cattle feed was mainly based on grazing in dry and rainy seasons. During the flooding season farmers in both districts relied on cut-and-carry native grasses and crop residues. Lastly, 60-70% of farmers sold cattle while only 10-20% bought cattle during the last year. In conclusion, cattle management by small-holder farmers was assessed as very low in terms of management and feeding. Farmers still raise their cattle in the traditional way with low health care intervention. Better housing of cattle with proper health care and improved feeding systems are recommended to farmers as ways to improve cattle production.