Authors : O.J. Babayemi, U.A. Inyang, O.J. Ifut and L.J. Isaac
Abstract: Forages/feed conservation offers strategic and sustainable solutions to the off season feeds for ruminants. Against this background the nutritive value of ensiled cassava wastes and Albizia saman was studied. Secondary metabolites and chemical composition of ensiled Cassava Wastes (CSW) with Albizia saman Pods (ASP) were determined. In vitro gas production of CSW and ASP at 24 h incubation was assessed. The ensiled mixtures were: 100% CSW, 75% CSW+25% ASP, 50% CSW+50% ASP, 25% CSW + 75% ASP and 100% ASP. Saponin was detected in 50% ASP inclusion and 100% ASP silages while tannin was recorded for 100% ASP silage. Crude Protein (CP) content ranged from 4.81% in 100% CSW to 24.50% in 100% ASP silages. The CP values increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing inclusion of ASP. Metabolizable Energy (ME), Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD) and Short Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) obtained for all silage mixtures were significantly (p<0.05) different from each other. Potential gas production and potentially degradable fractions (a+b) differed significantly (p<0.05) amongst each other while rate of fermentation did not differ (p>0.05). Total gas production did not differ (p>0.05) at 3 h while for other hours (6-24 h) there were significant (p<0.05) differences with 100% CSW silage being significant over others while 100% ASP had the lowest in all the hours observed. Methane (mL-1 200 mg DM) production ranged from 7-27, the highest being from 100% CSW while the least was observed in 100% ASP. The findings of this study showed that an inclusion level of 50, 75 and even 100% ASP could support small ruminants during period of drought as against sole feeding of cassava wastes.
O.J. Babayemi, U.A. Inyang, O.J. Ifut and L.J. Isaac, 2010. Nutritional Value of Cassava Wastes Ensiled with Albizia saman Pod as Feed for Ruminants in Off Season. Agricultural Journal, 5: 220-224.