Abstract
The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing different levels of molasses and concentrates mix with a basal diet of cultivated pasture hay on intake, body weight and carcass quality of Afar sheep. Twenty four yearling Afar sheep, grouped in to four groups of six animals each in a randomized complete block design. The experiment consisted of four months feeding trial each group will receive the experimental feeds. Treatments were mixed concentrate + 20% inclusion molasses (T1), mixed concentrate + 15% inclusion molasses (T2), mixed concentrate + 10% inclusion molasses (T3) and 0% inclusion (T4). In this experiment with mean initial weight of 15.9±0.39 kg (mean ± SD), 16.2 ±0.41 kg, 16.3±0.42k.g and 16.1kg±0.42 respectively, were used in each treatment group. The experiment was consisted of 90 days of feeding trial followed by carcass evaluation. The concentrate mix were 2:1 (wheat bran and cotton seed cake) The CP content of the panicum antidotale hay, concentrate mix and molasses were 95g/kg DM, 252g/kg DM, and 38.4g/kg, respectively. Hay DM intake was did not differ (P<0.05) among all treatments. Average daily weight gain (ADG) was higher (P<0.05) for T2 (69.59g/kg) compared to other treatments. Hot carcass weight also higher (P<0.05) for T2 (14.41kg). Weight gains 12.31kg, 13.83kg, 11.25kg and 10.26kg for Tx1, Tx2, Tx3 and Tx4, respectively). All Carcass parameters gave advantage (P<0.01) to Tx2. From the present study, it can be concluded that Tx2 sheep performed better than Tx1, Tx3, and Tx4 in terms of body weight gain, Feed intake, and carcass parameters.
 Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2019, 5(1): 23-30
Highlights
The Afar region is predominating by pastoral communities whose livelihood is entirely dependent on livestock herding
The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and gross energy was not affected by increasing level of molasses, the concentration of ammonia in the rumen was increased by high nitrogen intake
The result of this study indicated that higher net income (1098 ETB/sheep) was obtained from the sheep supplemented with (T2) 15% inclusions of molasses treatments; followed by trial was 13.12 (T1)(20%), T3 (10%), T4 (0%), in decreasing order respectively
Summary
The Afar region is predominating by pastoral communities whose livelihood is entirely dependent on livestock herding. The livestock sector is dependent on the natural pasture of the range lands. Almost all of the available range lands of the region are characterized as over grazed. Low quality and inadequacy of feeds as well as malnutrition are considered to be the major constraints hampering productivity of livestock in the region. Feed and water scarcity in quality and quantity especially during the long dry season are among noted production constraints of the livestock sector (Getachew et al, 2005). To minimize the impact of fluctuations in seasonal feed availability, supplementation of concentrates is known to improve intake and digestibility of roughages (Getahun, 2001). In Afar region even though to get commercial concentrate is very difficult and expensive, enough Tendaho sugar factory has already started producing molasses which can be used as a supplement to Afar sheep breed.
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