Nutrient Digestibility and Growth Performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats Fed Foliage Combinations of Moringa oleifera and Gliricidia sepium with Equal Proportions of A Low-cost Concentrate

Forty growing WAD goats (20 males and 20 females) were used in a 20-week digestion and growth study (complete randomized design) to investigate the potentials of a formulated low-cost concentrate with gliricidia and/or moringa fodder combinations to alleviate the acknowledged dry season nutritional stress often associated with ruminants in tropical environments. Eight animals (4 males and 4 females) were allocated to each of five experimental diets, namely; concentrate with 100 % gliricidia and 100 % moringa respectively (LC:G100M0, LC:G0M100), concentrate with gliricidia and moringa combinations at 75 to 25 %, 50 to 50 % and 25 to 75 % respectively (LC:G75M25, LC:G50M50, LC:G25M75). Performance indicators were nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility coefficients, feed conversion ratios and growth rates. Total DM intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher at LC:G0M100 (85.80 g/kg0.75) relative to LC:G100M0 (74.80 g/kg0.75). Forage combinations resulted in significantly (P<0.05) greater total DM intakes, with LC:G50M50 (92.10 g/kg0.75) having the most significant (P<0.05) effect. For virtually all the nutrient intakes, the least values resulted from LC:G100M0. Critical nutrient (CP, GE) intake values, a number of apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients (CP, TDN), growth performance indices (total weight gain and daily growth rate) and feed utilization efficiency were highest for animals on LC:G0M100. Notwithstanding the overall superiority of LC:G0M100 however, LC:G50M50 would be recommended to resource-limited small ruminant farmers in order to optimize the use of available feed resources. This is in view of non-significant (P>0.05) differences of these two diet combinations in CP intakes (73.90 vs. 71.10 g/d), apparent CP digestibility coefficients (86.00 vs. 84.90 %), TDN values (83.70 vs. 79.50 %), total weight gains (7.18 vs. 6.44 kg) and daily growth rates (51.30 vs. 46.00 g/d). Keywords: Digestibility, dry season nutritional stress, Gliricidia sepium, growth performance, low-cost concentrate, Moringa oleifera, WAD goat

Assessment of feeding value of vegetable-carried pineapple fruit wastes to Red Sokoto goats in Ogbomoso, Oyo State of Nigeria

This study compared the sun-drying characteristics of five blends each (w/w; 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3) of wheat offal-carried pineapple waste (WO:PW) and brewers’ dried grains-carried pineapple waste (BDG:PW), assessed the blends for their nutrient contents and the feeding value of the optimum blends with Red Sokoto (RS) goats. Moisture contents of all the blends were reduced to between 10.95 - 14.38% and 11.73 - 14.72%, respectively for WO:PW and BDG:PW blends within 7 h.  Drying was observed to be optimum at 1WO:2PW and 1BDG:2PW and their respective proximate compositions suggest their potentials as an energy source and a protein source respectively in ruminant nutrition. Free choice intake,  coefficient of preference and  percentage preference of the optimum blends  (1WO:2PW and 1BDG:2PW) and their respective equal mixtures (w/w) with a  formulated conventional concentrate (CCON) by RS goats, were subsequently evaluated alongside the CCON in a cafeteria  system. Results indicated that RS goats would opt for CCON in preference to other test feeds, but would readily accept WO-carried pineapple waste as an alternative to CCON.Key words: Acceptability, feed processing, fruit-processing by-products, seasonal nutritional stress, small ruminants

Utilization of cassava peels and Gliricidia sepium (JACQ.) Steud in the diet of West African Dwarf sheep

Thesis, Obafemi Awolowo University, 1988Project number related to IDRC support could not be determine

Integrated peri-urban systems : horticulture and livestock in West African cities (phase 3); final technical report

The study commenced by determining the production cost of Moringa oleifera under high-density cultivation in Sierra Leone, and with an assessment of the performance of micro-livestock that were offered Moringa-based diets. Following these initiation activities, a regional training on Moringa cultivation and processing techniques was conducted. This report provides comprehensive details of the project activities, methodology of research, training of participants, challenges, outputs and outcomes. Validation of the potential of moringa and bamboo leaf combinations as supplements in ruminant diets will further address the problem of dry season feed shortages in the tropics

Effects of moringa and bamboo leaves on groundnut hay utilization by West African Dwarf goats

Research results show that Moringa substitution improved the overall nutrient utilization of groundnut hay by goats (West African Dwarf), as indicated by a significant positive effect on total digestible nutrients. This study was designed to assess the intake, nitrogen utilization, and in vivo nutrient digestibility of Moringa oleifera (MOR) and Oxytenanthera abyssinica bamboo (BAM) leaves in equal combinations with groundnut hay for livestock feeding. A sole groundnut hay diet served as the reference diet

Moringa oleifera-horticulture-livestock integration approach to improving incomes and livelihoods of women farmers : the Gambian experience

Gambian women farmers acquired moringa cultivation training along with utilization of appropriate technologies, subsequently integrating these into their farming systems. The moringa-horticulture-livestock integration scheme increased income generation from sales of animal products, improved food and feed supply along with in-situ production of organic manure, while reducing costs of production and creating positive impacts on soil and water systems. Networks that could enhance the scheme’s gains were established. The project demonstrates the importance of research and technology development on the empowerment process of women, who benefitted from skills training, and increased income and food security