Intake and digestibility of nutrients by wad goats fed diets containing varying levels of cashew nut shell liquid inclusion

A complete concentrate (14%CP) was formulated and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) was included at four levels (0, 5, 10 and 15ml/kg DM). The concentrates in combination with Panicum maximum (40% concentrate and 60% grass) was fed to WAD goats at 5% of their metabolic weight. 12 WAD goats weighing 8.5 ± 0.25kg were randomly allotted into the four dietary treatments, each treatment was replicated thrice. The experiment was carried out for 21 days and samples of faeces were collected during the last 7days to evaluate digestibility. Intake and digestibility of nutrients by WAD goats in this experiment were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the dietary inclusion of CNSL up to 15ml/kg DM feed except CP digestibility which decreased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of CNSL inclusion. The inclusion of CNSL in the diets showed no adverse effect on the intake and digestibility of nutrients by WAD goats.Keywords: CNSL, WAD goats, Intake, Digestibility

Effects of Supplementation with Forage Resources from Natural Pasture on the Growth Performance and Ruminal Fermentation of Grazing Calves in Dry Season.

The feeding value of forage resources from the natural pasture as dry season feed supplements for grazing calves was evaluated. Sixteen cross bred calves (White Fulani X ’dama) with initial body weights of 82.5-87.0 kg were grouped into four treatments with four animals per treatment. The treatments consist of sole grazing (SG) in the natural pasture, grazing + hay (G+H), grazing + Leucaena leucocephala leaves (G+LL) and grazing + silage (G+S). The study lasted for 84 days growth trial and 7 days digestibility trial. Rumen fluid was sampled at the end for pH, ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids determination. Average daily gain (2.2, 7.5, 9.5 and 8.5 kg) for SG, G+H, G+LL and G+S, respectively (P < 0.05) among treatments. Ruminal ammonia concentration was in the order of G+LL> G+S> G+H and SG (P < 0.05). The study showed that all the grazing animals that were supplemented increased in weight and had better rumen fermentation, indicating relatively better feeding value. Hence resources from natural pastures, if well managed in form of hay and silage, can be good supplements especially in the dry season when forages in most pastures are in short supply and low in quality.Keywords: Natural pasture; Leucaena leucocephala leaves; hay; silage; rumen parameters

Microelement contents of two Panicum maximum varieties as influenced by manure type and season

A study was carried out to determine the influence of variety, manure type and season on the micro mineral content of two P. maximum varieties. The trial included: two Panicum varieties (Local and Ntchisi), three manure types (cattle dung, swine dung and poultry droppings) plus control (No manure) and two seasons (rainy and dry). Samples were harvested from each plot to estimate dry matter yield (DMY), crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and microelements (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn). The DMY of Ntchisi variety was higher (P<0.01) than that of the Local variety. Grasses fertilized with swine manure had the best (P<0.001) DMY while yield was better in the rainy season compared with dry season. There was season difference in the mineral contents except (P>0.05) for Fe. Manure differences were only noticed in the Zn and Mn contents of the grasses. Despite these differences, the grasses contained adequate amount of microelements required by ruminants, with the exception of Cu content in the dry season. In production systems where the two Panicum varieties constitute the major diets of grazing animals, it would be necessary to offer supplementary Cu in the dry season.Keywords: Panicum, microelements, manure type, season, variety

Effect of sole maize and maize –lablab silage on the ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFAS) of grazing calves in the dry season

Silages of sole maize and mixtures of maize-lablab were made at harvest in plastic bags. The experimental Unit consists of twelve cross-bred yearling bulls (White Fulani x N’dama) calves weighing 71-72kg and were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments: Grazing + sole maize silage, Grazing + mixtures of maize-lablab silage and Unsupplemented grazing as control. The experimental design was a completely randomized design and lasted 84days. Silage diets were given between 07:30 and 11:00 hours daily before grazing. Rumen fluid was collected at the end of the study to evaluate the co-efficient of ruminal fluid. The crude protein content in sole maize silage was half of that in mixture of maize-lablab silage. Inclusion of lablab in maize stover silage increased the mineral content as well as the lignin fraction. The mean pH value of sole maize silage (3.80) was less (P < 0.05) than 4.25 obtained with addition of lablab. The buffering capacity (5.37%) of sole maize silage significantly (P < 0.05) increased to 5.71% in mixture of maize-lablab silage. Lactic acid contents differed was influenced significantly (P < 0.05) with a mean value of 8.4% and 8.5% respectively in the sole maize silage and with lablab inclusion. Total volatile fatty acid (VFA) ranged from 56.7 μmoles/ml in calves without supplementation to 95.2 μmoles/ml in the calves fed mixture of maize-lablab silage. Mixture of Maize-lablab silage had the highest values for all the minerals determined in the feed materials while sole maize had the least. It was concluded from this trial, that forage legumes are relatively good sources of degradable nitrogen and fermentable energy, so their inclusion in the diet is likely to increase the rumen population of cellulolytic microbes and also proves that, mixture of maize-lablab silage could be used as supplement to enhance the growth and survival of calves during the dry season, when animal feeds are relatively scarce.Keywords: Grazing calves; maize stover; natural pasture; volatile fatty acid