NOTE ON AVAILABLE FEED FOR LIVESTOCK IN EASTERN SENEGAL AND UPPER SENEGAL RIVER BASIN.

Extensive farming in the Sahel is mainly limited by natural or human-induced constraints. Aridity and over-exploitation of rangeland factors induces availability of feed resources for livestock. Objectives:- this is a contribution note of livestock feed constraints, including: (i) identification of main constraints foranimal feeding in that area; (ii) assessing the amount of biomass produced and opportunities use of this characteristics pasture of Sahel region. Method:- with herbaceous biomass sampling sheet and interviews with groups of farmers in the study area, it was possible to estimate the quantity and quality of forage grass available on natural pasture during the dry season. Results:- biomass production hardly exceeds one ton per hectare in the dry season, averaging between 600 and 800 kg / ha consisting grasses mainly. Leguminous are available in small proportions such Zorniaglochidiata. Remarkable peak of biomass production are raised in the locality of Koundel with 1578.76 kg / ha and about 1566 kg / ha in Lescadié locality. On these pastures, the average of biomass is 1,063.03 kg / ha. Pasture capacity of the sites varies 4ha / UBT more than 10ha / UBT (UBT : Unitébétail tropical (Tropical Livestock Unit), is a theoreticalcattleweighing250 kg) with an average of 6,13ha / UBT. Herbaceous pasture is composed mainly of grasses. Conclusion:- the pasture deficit noted, leads farmers to prune trees for animals feed; which contributes to the ecosystems degradation. Crop residues exist, but are undervalued. Producers need to be sensitized and trained to better use of crop residues.