Almost all cattle in Cambodia are p

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.