Abstract:
Abstract. The supplementary effect of
cassava (Manihot esculenta) root meal (CRM)
and Nile Perch (Lates niloticus) fish waste
(FW) on the rumen environment was
compared to that hominy meal (HM) and
cotton seed cake (CSC). The feed’s
degradability characteristics and chemical
contents, rumen pH and rumen ammonia
nitrogen (NH3
-N) levels in cows fed on four
ration combinations (HM + CSC, CRM +CSC;
HM + FW and CRM +FW) denoted as T1, T2,
T3, T4, respectively) were determined. Results
showed that DM degradability at 48h for CRM
was higher (P<0.05) than that of HM (920 vs
835 g/kg). HM had higher (P<0.05) CP content
than CRM (946 vs 837 g/kg) respectively. Both
DM and CP contents of CSC were higher (P<
0.05) than those of FW (739 and 887 vs 367
and 598 g/kg) respectively. The degradability
of DM for the TR1 and TR2 rations was higher
(P< 0.05) than that of TR3 and TR4 (801 and
799 vs 727 and 616 g/kg DM respectively. TR2
had higher (P< 0.05) rates of DM degradability
than the rest of the rations. The ruminal pH
and NH3-N values differed (P< 0.05) between
treatments. Treatments containing FW (TR3
and TR4) had higher (P< 0.05) NH3-N than
those containing CSC (TR1 and TR2) (284.7
and 203.7 vs 135.8,and 183.9 mg/l). It is
concluded that CRM when fed in combination
with FW gave higher DMD values and
provided a better fermentation environment
than HM and CSC. It is further concluded
that CRM and FW could be good substitutes
for HM and CSC as sources of energy and nitrogen for dairy cattle and other ruminant
animals
