Current and Planned Research Programs
Livestock Research projects
Project # 1
Project Title:Effect of diets based on velvet bean hay on length and shape of the lactation curve of Jersey cows.
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Duration:2010-2014
Objective: To establish the length and shape of lactation curve of Jersey cows eating diets based on velvet beanhay based diet over a period of 305 days under minimum requirements for commercial dairy production.
Expected Output:diets based on velvet bean developed for dairy production.
Project # 2
Project Title:Least cost maintenance and production feeding packages for ruminant livestock based on crop residues, Industrial by-products, agro forestry, and home grown and non-conventional resources.
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Duration:2010-2015
Objective: To developleast cost maintenance and production feeding packages for ruminant livestock based on crop residues, Industrial by-products, agro forestry, home grown and non-conventional resources.
Expected Output: Least costdiets developed for livestock production.
Project # 3
Project Title:Utilization of fungal treated or mushroom spent wheat straw, corncobs and veld hay in diets of sheep.
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Duration:2010-2013
Objective: Investigate the nutritive value of fungal treated or mushroom spent wheat straw, corncobs and veld hay in diets of sheep.
Expected output: information on potential use of mushroom spent in ruminant diets.
Project # 4
Project Title:Evaluation of antihelminthic properties of neorautanenia brachypas (Zhombwe).
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Duration:On Going
Objective: To investigate the antihelminthic properties of neorautanenia brachypas (Zhombwe).
Expected output: Information on potential use of Zhombwe as an antihelminthic.
Project # 5
Project Title:Evaluation of cassva leaf silage as a protein supplement for dairy cows, it utilization and milk quality.
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Duration:2010-2016
Objective: To developa cassava based protein supplement for smallholder farmers.
Expected Output: Least costdiets developed for smallholder livestock production.
Project # 6
Project Title:Evaluation of Richardia Scabra as feed for sheep.
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Duration:2011-2014
Objective: To developa cassava based protein supplement for smallholder farmers.
Expected Output: Least costdiets developed for small ruminant livestock production.
Pasture Research projects
Project # 1
Project Title:Screening and evaluation of Lucerne (Medicago sativa) varieties grown under irrigation and dryland conditions at high-altitude sandveld site in Zimbabwe.
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Duration:2008-2011
Objective:To identify most suitable Lucerne (Medicago sativa) varieties for dairy fodder production under irrigation and dry-land conditions at a high-altitude sandveld site in Zimbabwe.
Expected Output: Identification of Lucerne varieties suitable for dairy fodder production under irrigation and dryland conditions at a high-altitude sandveld site in Zimbabwe.
Project # 2
Project Title: Dry-land Grass-legume pastures for sheep
Project Officers: X. Poshiwa , R. Muza and M. Zimondi
Funding: Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Duration: 2008 to 2012
Objective: To determine weight gains of sheep on dry-land grass-legume pastures
Project # 3
Project Title: A preliminary evaluation of five tropical forage grasses for foggage grazing in the high veld of Zimbabwe.
Duration: 2005 to 2011
Funding: Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Objective: To evaluate and screen five tropical grasses for growth, herbage yield and nutritive value.
Expected output:Identification of tropical grass species that are suitable as foggage in the high veld of Zimbabwe.
Project # 4
Project Title: Determining optimum harvesting time ofChloris gayanaseed in the high veld of Zimbabwe.
Duration:2008-2011
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Objectives:To determine the optimum time of seed harvesting for aChloris gayanaseed crop seed.
Expected output:Identify the optimum time of seed harvesting for aChloris gayanaseed crop in order to avoid early or late harvesting of seed and optimize financial returns from seed sales.
Project # 5
Project Title: Effect of staking height on seed yield and quality characteristics of Macroptilium atropurpureum cv Siratro in the high veld of Zimbabwe.
Duration: 2008-2011
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Objectives:To determine the effect of induction of erectophilic support to a planophilic species on yield and quality characteristics of the seed.
Expected outputs:The trial is expected to generate information that will encourage local production of pasture seed to boost up domestic seed supply and subsequently
the livestock industry in the country.
Project # 6
Project Title:Introduction Nursery
Duration:Recurrent
Funding:Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)
Objective:To characterize recently bred or selected germplasm.
Expected output:Elite species will be selected for secondary evaluation and seed multiplication.