Evaluation of the feeding value of forages and byproducts used for feeding small ruminants

Abstract

The feeding values of six locally available forages were determined through two digestibility trials, using Toronke sheep. Bush haulm and sorghum stovers were studied in the first trial. Dry matter (DM) intakes were 62 and 51 g DM/kg P^0,75 for bush haulm and sorghum stovers, respectively. The energy values were 0.71 and 0.60 UFL/kg DM for bush haulm and sorghum stovers, respectively. Digestible crude protein (DCP) contents were 3 and 1 g/kg DM for bush haulm and sorghum stovers, respectively. Energy values were rather high, whereas crude protein values were very low; they represent a major constraint to animal production in Mali. In the second trial, groundnut haulm, Lablab purpureus haulm, corn stovers and millet stovers were studied. Dry matter intakes were 97, 99, 40 and 35 g DM/kg P^0,75 for groundnut haulm, Lablab purpureus haulm, corn stovers and millet stovers, respectively. Digestibility was higher in stalks than in stovers except for crude fiber. DCP contents of corn and millet stovers were negative. They were 67 and 58 g/kg DM for groundnut haulm and Lablab purpureus, respectively. The energy values of the feeds were 0.76, 0.63, 0.50 and 0.42 UFL/kg DM for groundnut haulm, Lablab purpureus haulm, corn stovers and millet stovers, respectively. Stovers had a low energy value and zero DCP content. The feeding value of the cereal stovers may be improved with legume haulms as supplements, given the latter high total CP, digestibility and intake coefficients.