The study was conducted to assess the production practices, constraints and opportunities of Abergelle goat breed. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through focus group discussion and key informant interview by using tools of participatory rural appraisal. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software and the qualitative data ware narrated. The mainstay of livelihoods of the people of Abergelle district was found highly dependent on production of goats. Two types of goat housing were practiced during dry and wet seasons in the study area. Females were not supposed to herd goats and women were culturally prohibited to consume whole goat milk in the study area. The major supporting institutions in the study area to enhance the productivity of the goat breed were Save the Children (UK), Office of Agriculture and Sekota Dryland Agricultural Research Center. The major constraints faced for the production of Abergelle goat breed were lack of supplementary feed during dry seasons, low level of production, inflexible credit services, shortage of animal health extension workers, lack of transportation facilities, the prevalence of diseases and parasites, shortage of veterinary drugs and equipment. On the other hand, the major opportunities for the production of Abergelle goat breed in the area were availability of adaptable improved forage species, presence of water bodies and the existence of vast communal grazing areas. To improve the production and productivity of Abergelle goat breed in the study area, concerned stakeholders should give an emphasis on the aforementioned major constraints and opportunities.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer rates (NFR) and cutting height (CH) on the nutrient contents and nitrogen recovery of elephant grass when grown in Eastern Amara Region of Ethiopia. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor A: Nitrogen (4 levels) and Factor B: Cutting height (3 levels). Experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The results indicated that nitrogen and plant height significantly affected dry matter yield (DMY) of Pennisetum purpureum L. in which N application of 161 kg ha-1 and cutting height of 15 cm showed the highest leaf while leaf to stem ratio did not affected due to these two factors. Similarly, application of N and cutting height significantly influenced on nutrient contents in which N application at the rate of 69 kg ha-1 and cutting at the height of 15 cm brought the highest crude protein content whereas NDF and ADF contents were higher at cutting height of 22.5 cm with the lowest application of N (69 kg ha-1). Nitrogen recovery rate did not positively correlated with increased levels of N fertilizer applications as the maximum value (473.79 %) was recorded for those treated at the rate of 69 kg ha-1. Therefore, from this study it can be conclude that N application at the rate of 69 kg ha-1 and harvesting at a cutting height of 15 cm might be optimum for better nutrients content, greater DM yield and efficient N recovery rate of Pennisetum purpureum L.