The use of leucaena leucocephala (lam.) de wit forage as a feed supplement for dairy goats
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Date
1996
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
THE USE OF LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA (LAM.) DE WIT FORAGE AS
A FEED SUPPLEMENT FOR DAIRY GOATS
Six experiments were conducted to evaluate Leucaena leucocephala (LL) as protein
supplement for dairy goats. In Experiments 1 and 2 an appropriate feeding level of
dry LL leaves as substitute for cotton seed cake (CSC) fed to lactating does was
investigated. A total of 82 docs randomly allocated to four treatments with LL
inclusion at levels of 0 (treatment 1), 180 (treatment 2), 360 (treatment 3) and 540g
(treatment 4) substituting cotton seed cake at levels of 300, 200,100 and 0 g per day
of the concentrate. Basal ration contained elephant grass and Rhodes grass hay ad
libitum, supplemented with maize bran. Daily milk yield was sampled twice a week
for chemical analysis. Fourtnight body weights and daily feed intake were recorded.
In Experiment 3 comparison between fresh LL and CSC on milk yield and
composition was made. Twenty eight docs were subjected to four treatment diets as
follows: No LL and No CSC (treatment 1), restricted CSC (treatment 2), restricted
LL (treatment 3) and LL offered ad libitum (treatment 4). The basal ration composed
of Hyparrhenia rufa hay ad libitum supplemented with maize bran. Milk and FCM yields, fat, protein, total solids, solid not-fat, ash and mineral contents
did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between treatments in Experiments 1,2 and 3.
In Experiment 4 a total of 20 males and 20 females (weaner goats) were randomly
allocated to four treatments. Dry LL inclusion levels varied from 0 (treatment 1), 100
(treatment 2), 200 (treatment 3) and 300g (treatment 4) of feed whilst those for CSC
were 150, 100, 50 and 0 g per day for their respective four treatments. Basal diets
included 5% urea treated maize stover sprinkled with molasses and supplemented with
maize bran. Weekly body weights and daily feed intake were recorded. Liveweight
changes were not significantly (P>0.05) different between treatments.
Two in sacco experiments were carried out to measure the degradability and rumen
parameters (pH, NH^-N, VFA) of the feed components used in Experiments 1,2, 3 and
4 in the rumen of bucks fed a standard diet (Experiment 5) and treatment diets
““Ct
(Experiment 6). The fitted exponential equation (P=a+b(l-e
) was used to calculate
the degradation kinetics. Results of Experiment 5 showed that maize meal was most
degraded followed by maize bran, CSC, dry LL leaves and Chloris gayana. Results of
Experiment 6 showed that when the bucks were fed treatment diets from Experiments 1
and 2 protein solubility of LL (intercept) was highest (P<0.05) for treatment 3 followed
by treatments 2, 4 and 1. The potential degradability of DM (b) was highest (P<0.05)
for CSC in treatment 2 followed by treatments 3,4 and 1. It is recommended from these studies that up to 32% of dry LL and 17% of fresh LL of
total diet can be offered to dairy goats. Areas of further research are suggested.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Leucaena leucocephala, Dairy goats