Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to assess the effect of replacing a conventional concentrate with mixed cassava Two experiments were conducted to assess the effect of replacing a convetional concentrate with mixed cassava (Manihot esculenta) foliage and legume (Phaseolus calcaratus) foliage. In Exp. 1, three rumen fistulated crossbred cows were used for in sacco rumen degradability studies. In vitro gas production was also studied. In Exp. 2, 11 crossbred F2 heifers (Red SindhixHolstein Friesian), with initial live weight of 129±6 kg and aged six months, were allocated in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate a mixture (ratio 3:1) of cassava and legume foliage (CA-LE feed) as a protein source compared to a traditional concentrate feed (Control) in diets based on fresh elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and urea treated rice straw ad libitum. The Control feed was replaced by the CA-LE feed at levels of 0% (Control), 40% (CA-LE40), and 60% (CA-LE60) based on dry matter (DM). The in sacco degradation of CA-LE feed was higher than Control feed (p 0.05), but live weight gains (LWG) in CA-LE40 and CA-LE60 were significantly higher (551 and 609 g/d, respectively) than in the Control group (281 g/d). The intake of CP was higher (p<0.05) for the treatments CA-LE40 and CA-LE60 (556 and 590 g/d, respectively) compared to that of Control (458 g/d), while there was no significant difference in ME intake. The feed conversion ratio was 16.8, 9.0 and 7.9 kg DM/kg LWG in Control, CA-LE40 and CA-LE60, respectively. The feed cost of CA-LE40 and CA-LE60 corresponded to 43% and 35%, respectively, of the feed cost of Control feed. The best results were found when CA-LE feed replaced 60% of DM in Control feed and considerably decreased feed cost. It is concluded that feeding cassava foliage in combination with Phaseolus calcaratus legume as a protein supplement could be a potentially valuable strategy which leads to reduced feed costs and a more sustainable system in smallholder dairy production in Vietnam.
Highlights
In Vietnam traditional diets for calves after weaning consist mainly of grasses and concentrate
More than 72% dry matter (DM) and 83% CP of CA-LE feed had disappeared compared to 58% DM and 65% CP of the Control feed after 48 h incubation
Compared to Control feed, in the CA-LE feed the degradability of DM after 24 h and 48 h incubation increased by 33.8% and 25.4%, respectively
Summary
In Vietnam traditional diets for calves after weaning consist mainly of grasses and concentrate. In Exp. 2 eleven crossbred F2 heifers (25% Red Sindhi and 75% Holstein Friesian) at six months of age with an CA-LE: Experimental feed consisting of the cassava and legume foliage average live weight of 123-135 kg were used for the hay in a ratio of 3:1 (DM basis). Foliage has been investigated as feed for growing cattle The value of these sources as supplements is partly dependent on their capacity to provide essential nutrients to the microbial population of the rumen. The hypothesis behind this study is that replacing a part of the conventional concentrate with mixed cassava and legume foliage will positively influence rumen degradability and improve the performance of growing cattle. Before the adaptation period the separate cassava and legume foliages were sun dried for a second time and ground by a milling machine with two mm sieve. It was chopped into 10-15 cm length before rainfall of 1,859 mm and the mean temperature ranges from feeding
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