Cowpea Haulms Research Articles

Digestive utilization of Sahelian forages associated with cowpea haulms (Vingna unguiculata) and blood profile in Arabic rams

Digestive utilization of sahelian forages associated with Vingna unguiculata and blood profile study was conducted in scientific garden of the University of Sciences and Technology, Ati (JSUSTA). Three forages were used to assess in vivo digestibity in eighteen (18) rams weighing around 31.83±3.02 kg and displayed individually in metabolic cages in six (6) groups of three (3) animals. Control groups received 1000g of feed made up of Brachiaria deflexa, Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Echinocloa colona. While, experimental groups received basal feeds associated with 30% of Vingna unguiculata. The experiment was preceded by 14 days adaptation and 7 days of data collection during which, hundred (100g) grams of feeds and feces as well as urine (10 ml) were collected for chemical analysis and digestibility assessment. At the end of experimentation, two (2) ml of blood was collected from each animal before and after feeding for blood profile analysis. The results showed that the association of 30% Vingna unguiculata have significantly (p<0.05) increased intake of D. aegyptium and B. deflexa in Arab rams. In vivo digestibility of E. colona was significantly (p<0.05) higher in rams when associated or no with 30% of Vingna unguiculata. Blood profile analysis showed that E. colona associated with 30% of Vingna unguiculata induced significant (p<0.05) increase in blood protein, globulin and cholesterol concentration in Arabic rams.

Supplementing zebu cattle with crop co-products helps to reduce enteric emissions in West Africa

ABSTRACT In Africa, a wide variety of diets (forage + crop co-products or other agricultural by-products) is being used by livestock farmers in different production systems to adapt to climate change. This study aimed to assess the performance of various local feeding strategies on Sudanese Fulani zebu cattle. Two experiments were carried out on 10 steers aged initially 33 months (142 kg body weight – BW). The animals were fed eight different diets at an intake level of 3.2% LW in dry matter (DM), including two control diets of 100% rangeland forage (100% RF) and six experimental diets made up of forage and crop co-products (75:25 DM ratio). In the first experiment, the control diet was made up of rangeland forage (RF) and supplements consisted of four cereal co-products (CC), i.e. maize, sorghum, millet, and rice straws. In the second experiment, the control diet consisted of Panicum maximum (Pmax) hay, and the supplements tested were two legume co-products (LC), i.e. cowpea and peanut haulms. Each experiment lasted 3 weeks, including 2 weeks of adaptation to the diet and 1 week of data collection on individual animals (intake, apparent digestibility, and enteric methane). The NDF content of the diets was different within each experiment (p < 0.05). Among diets containing CC, DM intake [g/kg BW] was significantly higher (+31%; p = 0.025) for the diet containing rice straw than for the other diets, which showed similar levels to the RF diet. Among diets containing LC, intake was significantly higher (p = 0.004) than for the Pmax diet. Intake was higher for the peanut haulm diet than for the cowpea haulm diet. The DM digestibility was similar between the different diets in each experiment. Enteric methane (eCH4) yield [g/kg DMI] from the CC and LC-containing diets were reduced by an average of 23% and 20% compared to the RF and Pmax control diets respectively. Raising awareness among agro-pastoralists about the use of crop co-products offers real prospects for eCH4 emissions mitigation in the Sahel region.

PERFORMANCE AND DIGESTIBILITY RESPONSE BY RABBITS FED DIETS CONTAINING COWPEA HAULMS (Vigna unguiculata) REPLACING RICE OFFAL AT GRADED LEVELS

An 84-day feeding trial was conducted with weaner rabbits to investigate the feeding value of cowpea haulms (Vigna unguiculata) on growth performance and nutrients digestibility. Thirtysix (36) weaner rabbits with initial live weight range of 427.33 – 474.50g were randomly allocated to six (6) dietary treatments and each treatments replicated six (6) times in a complete randomized design. Each treatment was made up of three (3) males and three (3) females with each as a replicate. The rabbits were fed diets with cowpea haulms replacing rice offal at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% levels according to treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 respectively and T1 with 0% cowpea haulms as the control diet. The result of proximate composition and energy values of experimental diets revealed a crude protein value of 16.62% for T2 less than a similar value of 17.50% for T3, T4, T6 and T1 and T5 with a value of 18.38%. Crude fibre values ranged 12.43 to 21.00% increased across T1 –T6 as cowpea haulms (CH) level increased in the diet. Ether extract however decreased from T1 –T6 with increase in the level of CH with moisture following no particular trend. Ash was seen to decrease with increase in the diet CH, dry matter values 89.91% (T1) to 91.77% (T5) and NFE values 56.28 (T1) to 62.82 (T4) were in no particular trend. Also, ME values 3139.59 (T4) to 2731.32% (T1) did not follow a definite trend among the experimental treatments. The final weight (FW) was shown to decrease across the treatments with T1 having the highest final weight. T4 and T6 had the similar final weights. The nutrient digestibility across the six treatments revealed significant (P0.05) different. With these results from this study, it was concluded that, the bulky wastage of cowpea haulms after the seed harvest could be reduced by replacing rice offal with cowpea haulms in rabbit diets as a major crude fibre source. Cowpea haulms had no negative effects on the general growth performance of rabbits. Therefore, it is safe for farmers and feed manufacturers to include cowpea haulms to replace 100% of rice offal as a major source of crude fibre in rabbit diets.

Effect of pelleting crop residues on feed intake and digestibility in Djallonke sheep in North-sudanian zone of Burkina Faso

The effect of pelleting fodder on voluntary feed intake and digestibility in sheep was tested with sorghum straw and cowpea haulm in two forms (chopped and granulated). Twenty-four (24) sheep, of 18 to 24 months old, Djallonké breed were divided into 4 groups of 6 sheep following a random complete block device with four (04) treatments as follows: R1= 50% chopped sorghum straw + 50% chopped cowpea haulms, R2 = Granulated feed 1 (50% sorghum straw + 50% cowpea haulms), R3 = 50% chopped sorghum straw + 50% maize bran and R4 = Granulated feed 2 (50% chopped sorghum straw + 50% maize bran). Six (6) sheep per group underwent the intake trial, then consecutively five (5) sheep per group were retained and housed in digestibility cages for the digestibility test. The voluntary intake of dry matter varied from 417.5 g/d for ration 3 to 600.5 g/d for ration 2. In terms of nutrient intake, ration 1 (75. 26g) records the highest intake of crude protein, followed by ration 2 (70.15g). There is no difference in voluntary intake within rations with forage chopped (R1 and R3) and pellet rations (R2 and R4). The digestibilities of DM and OM are lower with R2, followed by R4; on the other hand, R1 and R3 showed the best levels of digestibility. The crude protein digestibility value is higher for R1 than for the others. The grounding and pelleting of forage did not improve the intake and digestibility of the rations. Additional studies are needed, especially on the size of ground feed, in order to better elucidate the nutritional value of pelleted fodder.

Growth Response and Cost-benefit of Red Sokoto Goats Feedlotted on Crop Residues during Dry Season

Fifteen Red Sokoto bucks were assigned to five treatment diets designated as T1, T2I, T3, T4 and T5 with cowpea husk inclusion levels at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% to replace cowpea haulms. The feeding trial lasted for 90 days. Daily feed intake was measured by subtracting the leftover feed from the amount offered within 24 hours. Also, weight changes were measured by taking the weight of each animal at the end of the week and the weekly initial weight subtracted from it. The running cost was measured by summing all costs incurred in the production. Parameters measured were daily feed consumption, daily weight changes, daily running costs in the form of man-hour labor charges, drugs, revenue, transportation and other charges. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and net farm income (NFI) to carry out the cost-benefit analysis. Results of the research showed no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) among the treatment means for initial body weight 5.53, 5.71, 5.87, 5.93 and 5.90 for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Feed intake varied among the treatments probably due to inclusion levels of cowpea husk. T5 had the highest feed intake (0.260kg) followed by T4 (0.25kg) and T3 (0.24kg) with significant differences (p&lt;0.05) across treatments. Similarly, bucks on T5 performed well in terms of body weight gains (4.60kg) followed by T4 (4.13kg) and T3 (3.47kg) with significant differences (p&lt;0.05) across treatments. The feed conversion ratio was highest in bucks on T3 (6.01) where cowpea husks and haulms inclusion were 50:50 because animals can utilize nutrient pool from both feedstuffs. Bucks on T3, T4 and T5 had the highest revenue (₦3,1600.00) followed by T1 and T2 (₦25,600.00). Profits per naira invested varied across treatment groups with T1 (₦6,850.00), T2 (₦6,700.00), T3 ₦12,800.00), T4 (₦12,650.00) and T5 (₦12,150.00). Costs per kilogram weight gain were ₦2,072.00, ₦1,881.00, ₦1,808.00, ₦1,528.00 and ₦1,409.00 for treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. The economic analysis of the research showed an average gross farm income of ₦3,140.00 per head of animals which implies a profitable venture using these crop residues.

In Vivo Digestibility of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Brachiaria deflexa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Echinocloa colona&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Supplemented with Cowpea Haulms in Sahelian Goats

A study of In vivo digestibility of <i>Brachiaria deflexa</i> and <i>Echinocloa colona </i>fed<i> </i>Sahelian bucks supplemented with 30% cowpea haulms was conducted in the Scientific Garden of the University of Sciences and Technology of Ati in Chad by September 2018. Twelve (12) Sahelian bucks weighing around 28. 62 ±2. 97 kg, aged between 20 and 24 months were used for this feeding trial. Four (4) groups of three (3) animals were housed in individual metabolic cages, where they were treated with Oxytetracycline 20% long-acting (1ml/10 kg) and 1% of Ivermectin against gastrointestinal and pulmonary worms before trials. Four rations were made and distributed hazardly to each group as follows: <i>Brachiaria deflexa</i> without supplement of cowpea haulms (BF₀), <i>Brachiaria deflexa</i> suplemented with 30% cowpea haulms (BF₃₀), <i>Echinocloa colona</i> without suplement (EF₀) and <i>Echinocloa colona</i> suplmented with 30% cowpea haulms (EF₃₀). Each animal received 1000g of feeds twice a day for basal feeds during the adaptation period (14 days). After this period, data were collected for seven (7) days. The result shows that <i>Echinocloa</i> <i>colona</i> supplemented with 30% cowpea haulm induced a significant (p<0.05) intake of DM (697.2g), OM (525.14g), and CF (214.35g) in Sahelian bucks. While, digestive utilization of these elements was comparable (p> 0.05). Though, digestive utilization of nitrogen (58.68g) was significantly (P<0.05) high in bucks. Biochemically, blood concentration with protein elements (protein, albumin, and globulin) was similar in bucks fed <i>Brachiaria deflexa </i>or<i> Echinocloa colona </i>alone or associated with 30% cowpea haulms. As such, bucks could be fed with dried forage without cowpea supplements to minimize production costs.

Smallholder farmers practices of crops livestock integration in the district of Aguié (Niger): Agricultural production and livestock feed

Crop production and livestock are main economic activities of most populations in Maradi region. The objective of this work is to study agricultural production and livestock feeding in terms of farming practices of crops livestock integration in 4 villages of Aguié. The results of surveys randomly conducted on a sample of 78 farmers showed that farmers were categorized into two groups, which are farmers (67%) and agro-pastoralists (33%). However, the multivariate analysis of data highlighted existence of three categories of agro-pastoralist farmers, distinct in terms of their means of existence and levels of integration. It was counted 21% of population who have plows and seeders, while 51% have carts. According to distribution of oxen in farms, a proportion of 51% were small farms have no draft oxen, while 45% of farms have a draft oxen, 3 % of farms have a pair of oxen and 1 % of farms has five (5) draft oxen. Cereal production in Kg is 862 ± 419 for Small Farms (SF); 1008 ± 132.7 for Medium Farms (MF) and 5748 ± 4068 for Big Farms (BF). As for production (Kg) of legumes; SF produce on average 293 ±139.3, MF 452 ± 123.7 and the BF 991 ± 208.5. With regard to sales and self-consumption of cereals and legumes, BF carry out these practices in large quantities. In MF, for a millet production of 4,155.99 ± 613.49 kg, the millet stovers are 2,068.85 ± 305.39 kg. Cowpea production in BF is 359.08 ±135.25 kg for 65.64 ± 24.72 kg of cowpea haulms. The sorghum stovers for BF, MF and SF is respectively 566.2; 276.8 and 125.2 kg with land capital in Ha of 8.1 (BF), 3 (MF) and 1.8 (SF). Despite fodder available which is 2,227.5 kg for 0.58 TLU in the SF; 2,441.1 kg for 1.63 TLU at the MF level and 4,414.5 kg for 3.03 TLU, fodder balance is in deficit in all farms according to fodder requirement (Kg/270 days).

Methods of conservation of agricultural by-products in the Maradi region: Case of departments of Madarounfa (Safo and Bargaja), Guidan Roumdji (Karazomé, Karo Sofoua) and Dakoro (Baban Kori and Akora Idi)

This work was carried out in the departments of Guidan Roumji (Karazomé and Karo Sofoua), Madaroumfa (Safo and Bargaja) and Dakoro (Baban Kori and Akora Idi) in the Maradi region. The objective was to identify the different methods of conservation of agricultural by-products in rural areas. In order to achieve this objective, a sample of 296 farmers was surveyed out of the 300 planned, chosen on the basis of the simple random type probabilistic method. The results show that 98.64% use the conservation of agricultural by-products. These residues are mainly cowpea haulms (96.29%), sorghum straw (91.55%), groundnut haulms (85.82%) and millet straw (80.4%). The most dominant conservation methods are the hayloft (78.38%), on the open-air shed (58.11%) which are observed in all the villages. It appears from this work that the smallholder farmers attach great importance to the conservation of crop residues in the study area. Nevertheless, this conservation of agricultural by-products is done in a traditional way. It is therefore necessary to train smallholder farmers on the conservation of crop residues used in animal feed. This will allow more rational management and better conservation of the nutritive value of crop residues.

Red Sokoto goats performed well with high nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention when fed with two varieties of cowpea haulm

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding two varieties of cowpea haulm on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in Red Sokoto bucks. The experiment consisted of 15 Red Sokoto bucks of average weight of 10kg, which were balanced for weight and randomly assigned to three dietary treatments with five bucks per treatment in a complete randomize design. The three treatment diets consisted of Brachairia decumbens hay as basal diet and concentrate diets which were supplemented with cowpea haulms at 0% (Control), 10% (SAMPEA14) and 10% (SAMPEA15). The study lasted for 90 days. Total dry matter intake (TDMI, g/day), total weight gain (TWG, kg), faecal (unit) and urine (unit) outputs were recorded. Results indicated that the TDMI were different (P&lt;0.05) with higher intake (237.64 g/day) in bucks fed control diet, followed by 223.00 g/day 10% SAMPEA 15 and 10% haulm of Sampea 14 (206.49g/day) in the concentrate. The TWG and average daily weight gain increased by 59.77% and 59.76%, respectively with respect to 10% SAMPEA 14 haulm inclusion compared to the control diet. The digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) were higher (P&lt;0.05) in bucks fed diet constaining 10% SAMPEA 14 inclusion level compared to the treatment diets. The quantity of N retained by the bucks was higher (P&lt;0.05) with the inclusion of 10% of SAMPEA 14 (3.79 g/day) compared to those fed 10% SAMPEA 15 (1.18 g/day) and the control diet (0.68 g/day). It is concluded that farmers should include 10% SAMPEA 14 in concentrate diet of Red Sokoto bucks for optimum performance under smallholder production system. Une étude a été menée pour étudier l'effet de l'alimentation de deux variétés des haulms de niébé sur la performance de croissance, la digestibilité des nutriments et l'équilibre azoté chez les mâles Red Sokoto. L'expérience s'est composée de 15 bucks rouges de Sokoto de poids moyen de 10kg, qui ont été équilibrés pour le poids et aléatoirement assignés à trois traitements diététiques avec cinq dollars par traitement dans une conception randomize complète. Les trois régimes de traitement se sont composés deBrachairiadecumbenshay comme régime basal et régimes concentrés qui ont été complétés avec des haulms de niébé à 0% (contrôle), 10% (SAMPEA 14) et 10% (SAMPEA 15). L'étude a duré 90 jours. La consommation totale de matière sèche (TDMI, g/day), le gain de poids total (TWG, kg), les sorties fécales (unitaires) et urinaires (unitaires) ont été enregistrées. Les résultats ont indiqué que le TDMI était différent (P&lt;0.05) avec une consommation plus élevée (237.64 g/jour) dans le régime de contrôle alimenté par les mâles, suivi de 223.00 g/jour10% SAMPEA 15 et 10% de transport de Sampea 14 (206.49 g/jour) dans le concentré. Le TWG et le gain quotidien moyen de poids ont augmenté de 59.77 % et de 59.76 %, respectivement en ce qui concerne l'inclusion de 10 % de SAMPEA 14 haulms par rapport au régime de contrôle. Les digestibilités de la matière sèche (le 'DM'), des protéines brutes (le 'CP'), des fibres brutes (le 'CF'), de l'extrait d'éther (le 'EE') et de l'extrait sans azote (le 'NFE') étaient plus élevées (P&lt;0,05) chez les mâles nourris à l'alimentation constaining 10% SAMPEA 14 niveau d'inclusion par rapport aux régimes de traitement. La quantité de N retenue par les mâles était plus élevée (P&lt;0.05) avec l'inclusion de 10% de SAMPEA 14 (3.79 g/jour) par rapport à celles nourries 10% SAMPEA 15 (1.18 g/jour) et le régime de contrôle (0,68 g/jour). Il est conclu que les agriculteurs devraient inclure 10% SAMPEA 14 dans le régime concentré de bucksRed Sokoto pour une performance optimale dans le cadre du système de production des petits exploitants.

Simultaneous saccharification and bioethanol production from underutilized biomass, cowpea haulm using co-cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (BY4743) and Scheffersomyces stipitis (PsY633)

Cowpea cultivation generates large quantities of biomass after pod harvest which are underutilized and could be exploited for energy generation. In this study, evaluation of sugar production by dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of cowpea haulm for potential ethanolic fermentation was carried out. A central composite design (CCD) was used to investigate the effects of temperature (100–120 °C), time (30–90 min), and acid concentration (1.0–4.0%) on sugar yield and inhibitor formation. The model F-values of 25.42, 78.81, and 6.96 for xylose yield, glucose yield, and total inhibitor concentration, respectively, with low probability value (p < 0.05) suggest a high significance of the models. While the R2-values of 0.9581, 0.9861, and 0.8424 indicated a satisfactory agreement of the quadratic models in predicting the responses. The quadratic model predicted optimum conditions for maximum xylose (76.5%) and glucose yield (28.6%), at minimum inhibitor concentration (2.34 g/L) and temperature (110 °C), with an acid concentration of 3.1% and reaction time of 55 min. These conditions were validated experimentally suggesting the effectiveness of experimental design towards process optimization. The resulting sugar-rich prehydrolysate was detoxified and fermented to ethanol using co-cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4743 and Scheffersomyces stipitis (PsY633), while the recovered pretreated solid was subjected to simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with prehydrolysis (PSSF). A total ethanol titer of 15.67 g/L was obtained which corresponds to an overall conversion efficiency of 75%. This suggests that cowpea haulm could also be potentially exploited for bioethanol production either singly or in combination with other lignocellulosic biomass.

Availability and estimation of crop by-product yields for small ruminant production in Cross River State, Nigeria

A study was carried out in some Local Government Areas of Cross River State of Nigeria to identify and ascertain the availability, level of production and the yields of crop by-products derived from commonly cultivated crops that can serve as feed for small ruminants. The results show that the various staple crops commonly grown in Cross River State produce the following crop by-products in a decreasing order of yields- cassava peels&gt; yam peels&gt; corn cobs&gt; maize sheaths&gt; plantain peels&gt; maize offal&gt; rice offal&gt; cassava sievets&gt; banana peels&gt; fried garri sievets&gt; groundnut haulms&gt; sweet potato peels. The annual yield of crop by-products per Local Government Area is estimated as follows: cassava peels 89,226.40, yam peels 32,318.80, maize sheaths and offal 358,050.00, rice 0ffal 37,140.00, cowpea haulms 34,064.00, groundnut haulms 41,872.00, banana peels and rejects 18,420.00, plantain peels 7,598.40, cocoyam peels 11,944.00, sweet potato peels and rejects 8,024.00 tonnes per selected LGA.The total amount of crop by-products (638,657.60 tonnes) generated each year from the staple food crops will go a long way in solving the problem of feed scarcity for ruminants during dry season.

Analysis of crop residues availability for animal feed in Kebbi State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the use of crop residues in animal feeding in Kebbi state, Nigeria. Data for the study was generated through the use of structured questionnaire and three points Likert rating scale and data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results of the study revealed that all (100%) the respondents were male, active and productive in ages (18-47 years) with majority having non - formal education (Qur’anic education) and common mode of land acquisition being through inheritance (70%). Findings of the study further revealed that the common crop residue utilized by the respondents was groundnut haulm (40%) and both cowpea haulm and millet stalks (20%) that were mostly (89%) sourced from their farms, stored and preserved through baling (71%). Majority (90%) of the respondents infer that large proportion of the metabolizable energy is wasted during eating and digestion of low quality crop residues. The study concluded that groundnut haulms and sorghum stalks were the common crop residues utilized for feeding animals, mostly stored and preserved locally with the use of silos and drums. The study recommends that government and the respondents should come up with modern storage and preservation methods of crop residues in order to improve its nutrient value and avoid spoilage.

INTRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL CROP RESIDUES AS SUPPLEMENT FOR GOATS FATTENING AMONG ANIMAL REARERS IN GIPALMA MUBI-SOUTH, ADAMAWA STATE

Fattening has been defined as intensive feeding of highly nutritious feed to and promotes fast growth and fat deposition to achieve desired carcass growth and quality. The main strategy is to fatten young, lean male goat to obtain either from the farmer’s own flock or more often, purchased on the open market over a period of two to three months, with each farmer fattening between one and five animals. The goats are usually tethered or kept in a small sheltered enclosure at the homestead, and often fed and watered individually. Basal feeds used for goat fattening, such as hay and millet straw are supplemented with cowpea haulms, maize bran, rice bran and coconut flour which is derived from the crop residues. Poor nutrition is a major constraint in fattening small ruminants in Nigeria, this is because farmers often give the animals whatever is available, leading to waste when feed availability is high, and underfeeding when it is low (feed availability). Fattening of small ruminants as a business is very common in Nigeria. Small ruminants are usually reproduced on the farms or houses and are sold around festivities. (Christmas and Sallah) or when cash is required. No special efforts, other than grazing the animals, are made by many smallholder farmers and pastoralists to ‘’fatten’’ them. A similar situation exists for fattening of large ruminants (bulls) as a business. Most farmers in Nigeria sell their bulls once they have been introduced to ‘’fatten’’ these animals commercially. Goats are able to subsist and make appreciable gains in long dry season with crop residue-based diets that compare favourably with conventional concentrate rations. Some of the crop residues and by-products available are potentially good feed resources which degrade readily in the rumen, some however, have shown poor degradability and hence, require some treatments before they can contribute to animal nutrition.

Emerging feed markets for ruminant production in urban and peri-urban areas of Northern Ghana.

Feed shortage in urban and peri-urban areas has triggered the emergence of feed markets in Northern Ghana. These markets were surveyed at three locations (Tamale, Bolgatanga, and Wa markets) to determine types and prices of feedstuffs sold across seasons; early dry (November-January), late dry (February-April), early wet (May-July), and main wet (August-October). Semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Three samples of each feed type in the markets were bought from three different sellers per market in each season. The samples were oven dried to constant weight and price/kg DM of each feed determined. The total respondents were 169. Out of this number, 41% were feed sellers, 46% buyers, and 13% retailers. The feedstuffs found were crop residues (groundnut haulm and cowpea haulm), agro-industrial by-products (bran of maize, rice, and sorghum), fresh grasses (Rotteboellia cochinchinensis), and local browses (Ficus sp. and Pterocarpus erinaceous). Prices of feeds differed (P<0.05) among markets and were higher in Bolgatanga than Tamale and Wa markets. Prices of cereal bran were not different (P>0.05) in all seasons but that of crop residues were higher (P<05) in early to late dry season than the wet season. Majority (90%) of respondents opined that the feed market will expand due to increasing number of livestock population in the peri-urban areas.

Efectos de la suplementación con peladuras y hojas de yuca y tallos de caupí sobre el ambiente ruminal y parámetros sanguíneos de cabras Enanas del África Occidental

Este experimento se realizó para evaluar los efectos de suplementar peladuras de yuca con hojas de yuca y tallos de caupí sobre la fermentación del rumen y metabolitos sanguíneos de cabras Enanas de África Occidental (WAD). Treinta machos de 8±1,3 meses con un peso corporal medio de 6,06±0,02 kg fueron usados en un experimento completamente al azar. Las cabras fueron asignadas aleatoriamente de a 1 de 5 tratamientos dietarios que consistian de peladuras de yuca molidas, hojas de yuca y tallos de caupí en diferentes proporciones 700:100:175 (T1); 500:200:275 (T2); 300:300:375 (T3) y 100:400:475 (T4) g/kg de materia seca respectivamente. Una dieta estandar formulada para atender las necesidades nutritivas de los animales sin yuca ni tallos de caupí fue empleada como dieta control (T5). Los datos obtenidos fueron sometidos a análisis de varianza usando el procedimiento del SAS modelo lineal general. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que la mayor cantidad de proteína bruta dietética fue obtenida en el tratamiento 5 (206 g/kg) seguido por el tratamiento 4 (200 g/kg). El tratamiento 1 presentó mayor contenido de fibra neutrodetergente (660 g/kg) y cianuros (30 mg/kg). En el momento de la administración los valores de NH3-N significativamente se ordenaron (L, Q, C: p&lt;0,05) de 8,5% en el tratamiento 1 a 15,67% en el tratamiento 4. El contenido de ácidos acético y propiónico fue más alto (C: p&lt;0,05) en el tratamiento 1 con valores de 68,17 mol/100ml y 21,55 mol/100 ml respectivamente. Los recuentos de hongos totales fueron similares en los tratamientos 3 y 5 pero significativamente diferentes (Q, C: p&lt;0,05) de los otros tratamientos. Los valores de ácido acético disminuyeron significativamente (Q: p&lt;0,01; C: p&lt;0,05) desde 63,70 mol/100 ml en el tratamiento 1 a 62,49 mol/100ml en el tratamiento 3 bajando aún más a 61,68 mol/100 ml en el tratamiento 4. Los valores para los recuentos totales de hongos oscilaron entre 0,20 (cfu/ml x106) en el tratamiento 2 a (cfu/ml x106) en el tratamiento 5. Los valores del volumen celular (PCV) oscilaron entre 21,50% en el tratamiento 3 a 31,50% en el tratamiento 1. La concentración de hemoglobina fue más alta en el tratamiento 2 con valores de 10,25 g/dl resultando en una tendencia significativa lineal y cúbica. Al final del experimento existió una aguda disminución de los valores PCV en las cabras de los tratamientos 1, 2 y 5. La concentración de Hb siguió una tendencia similar aunque no significativamente diferente (L, Q, C: p&gt;0,05). Los valores de RBC aumentaron significativamente (L: p&lt;0,01) a medida que se reducían los niveles de inclusión de peladura de yuca. La proteína y globulina totales oscilaron de 53,30 a 67,30 (g/dl) y de 22,00 a 34,60 (g/dl) respectivamente siendo significativamente diferente (C: p&lt;0,01; L, Q, C: p&lt;0,01, 0,05). El estudio reveló que la suplementación de peladuras de yuca con hojas de yuca y tallos de caupí como fuente de proteína no tiene efectos negativos sobre la fermentación ruminal y parámetros bioquímicos sanguíneos de cabra Enana de África Occidental.

Cowpea and Groundnut Haulms Fodder Trading and Its Lessons for Multidimensional Cowpea Improvement for Mixed Crop Livestock Systems in West Africa

Cowpea is an important legume crop in Africa, valued highly for its grain and also haulms, which are a tradable commodity in fodder markets. Fodder market surveys in Northern Nigeria showed that groundnut haulms were priced higher than cowpea haulms, probably because of their superior nutritive value. The economic value of haulms has prompted cowpea breeders and livestock nutritionists to explore haulm fodder traits as additional selection and breeding criteria. Fifty cowpea genotypes cultivated across five locations in Nigeria in 2013 and 2014 were evaluated for food fodder traits. Significant (P < 0.05) genotypic dependent variations were observed in yields (kg/ha) of grains (537–1082) and haulms (1173–3368), though significant (P < 0.05) effects of location and year were observed. Grain and fodder yield had a tendency to be positively correlated (r = 0.26, P = 0.07). Haulms were analyzed for nitrogen (N), fiber fractions, in vitro digestibility, and metabolizable energy content. Highly significant variations were observed in all genotypic and livestock nutrition traits, although location and year had significant effects. Trade-offs between grain yield and haulm fodder quality traits were largely absent and haulm acid detergent lignin and grain yield were even inversely correlated (r = -0.28, P = 0.05), that is high grain yielders had decreased haulm lignin. However, haulm N and grain yield also tended to be negatively associated (r = -0.26, P = 0.07). Haulm fodder quality traits and haulm yield were mostly positively correlated (P < 0.05). Broad sense heritabilities for grain and fodder yield were 0.50 and 0.29, respectively, while heritability for haulm fodder quality traits ranged from 0.61 to 0.67, providing opportunities for concomitant increase in grain yield and haulm fodder quality traits. Selection of the 10 highest ranking genotypes for grain yield, haulm yield, haulm N, and haulm in vitro organic matter digestibility showed selection groups overlapping, suggesting that multi-trait selection is feasible. Economical evaluation showed that choice of primary traits is context specific, highlighting the need for identifying and targeting appropriate genotypes to fit different production systems. Considering haulm quantity and quality as traits of economic value can increase overall plant value in mixed crop-livestock systems.

Disponibilite, Valeurs Marchande Et Nutritionnelle Des Sous-Produits Agricoles Et Agroindustriels Utilises Dans L’alimentation Des Ruminants Au Benin

The availabilities and the commercial values of 31 agricultural and agro-industrial by-products were evaluated through a semi structural interview carried out on 360 breeders of Benin. A sample of each diet was collected to determine its chemical composition and nutritive values. Maize bran, cassava peels, cakes of soya and cotton are available in any season and have a commercial value. Among fruit by-products used in the food of the ruminants, the pineapple peels occupy the first place and their commercial values are three times higher than those of the cassava peels. Soya cakes has a very high commercial value (higher than 200 FCFA/kg).The leguminous pods and the cereal hulls are also largely available but without commercial value. Roots cassava and tubers of yam by-products and the cakes are very digestible and these values do not go down below 60 %. Low values of digestibility were observed on hulls and stems of cereals and leguminous pods. These digestibilities are generally below 40 %. The groundnut haulms are more digestible than cowpea haulms (57.8 vs 49.7 %). Cotton cakes and palm oil cakes are less digestible than the other oil cakes. The digestibilities of crude protein (DCP) are very low in fruit and cereals by-products. Except for the pods of leguminous, all the leguminous by-products provided considerable quantities in DCP. The studies give opportunities of choice of food supplementation to ruminants during the dry season where graminaceous and the other herbaceous becoming rare in the natural pasture.

Chemical Composition and Dry Matter Yield of Cowpea(Vigna unguiculate L Walp)Haulms as Fodder for Ruminants

The purpose of the study was to determine chemical composition and dry matter yield of cowpea haulms (Sejwaleng, Lebudu and Morathathane) grown in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Randomized complet...

Variety and phosphate fertilizer dose effect on nutrient composition, in vitro digestibility and feeding value of cowpea haulm.

BackgroundCowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.]) is a legume cultivated throughout most tropical countries and is valued as food and feed for human and livestock respectively. The search for an improved cowpea variety has been on-going with the aim of improving traits such as grain yield, drought and pest resistance. But no information exist on the feeding value of these improved varieties. Phosphate (P) fertilizer application is recommended to augment grain yield in grain legumes but data on the effect of P fertilizer on haulm quality is limited.ResultsTwo separate experiments were conducted to determine the effect of P fertilizer dose on the nutritive value of haulms from different cowpea varieties (V). In experiment 1, effect of three P doses (30, 60 and 90 kg P2O5/ha) on in vitro gas production (IVGP) characteristics, concentrations of digestible organic matter (DOM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of haulms from five cowpea varieties (Zaayura-SARC 4-75, Songotra-IT97K-499-35, Hewale-IT93K-192-4, IT99K 573-1-1 and Asomdwe-IT94K-410-2) were investigated using the 3 (P) x 5 (V) factorial treatment arrangements in a completely randomized design. In experiment 2, the effects of two P doses (30 and 90 kg P2O5/ha) and two varieties (Zaayura-SARC 4-75 and Hewale-IT93K-192-4) on the voluntary feed intake, live weight, haematology and carcass characteristics of Djallonke lambs were also assessed using a 2(P) x 2(V) factorial treatment arrangement. The V x P interaction significantly affected CP, NDF and ADF with CP concentration increasing with increase in P doses in Zaayura-SARC 4-75 and Asomdwe-IT94K-410-2. Whilst an increase (P < 0.05) in NDF was observed in Songotra-IT97K-499-35and Asomdwe-IT94K-410-2 as P doses increased, the other V only increased from P dose 30 to 60 kg/ha and declined at P dose 90 kg/ha. The ADF decreased (P < 0.05) with increase in P dose for all V with the exception of Songotra-IT97K-499-35. There was a significant V effect on DOM with the highest reported in Zaayura-SARC 4-75 (43.44 %). Daily DM intake, carcass length and blood urea nitrogen of the lambs were significantly affected by the V x P interaction. There was a significant V effect on globulin and P effect on live weight at slaughter, dressed weight, chuck, leg, loin, rib and flank and liver and lungs.ConclusionIt can be concluded that nutrient concentrations of cowpea haulms were positively influenced by different P dose and varieties with favorable effects on growth, haematology and carcass composition of lambs.Varieties Zaayura-SARC 4-75 and Hewale-IT93K-192-4 at P dose at 90 kg/ha are recommended to enhance growth performance and carcass yield of Djallonke lambs.

Nutrient release patterns of compost and its implication on crop yield under Sahelian conditions of Niger

In Niger, farmers rely largely on organic resources such as manure and compost to address soil fertility problems and improve crop production. Ironically, they do not improve the fertilizer value of these organic resources or take into account their decomposition and nutrient release patterns before the application. This study aimed to assess the decomposition and nutrient release patterns of composted manure under field conditions and its implication on millet and cowpea grain yield. Litterbags arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications were used to assess decomposition and nutrient release of the compost. For the effect of composted manure and mineral fertilizer on millet and cowpea grain yield, two types of soil amendments were used; three levels of compost and four levels of mineral fertilizer. A 3 × 4 factorial experiment arranged in RCBD with three replications was used. After 84 days of decomposition, 40.3 and 56.5 % of compost mass losses were recorded respectively in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, 31, 74 and 97 % of N, P and K, respectively were released at 63 days of decomposition. Furthermore, in 2014, N, P and K release values of 58, 60 and 99 % were obtained at 84 days of decomposition. Combined application of 2500 kg ha−1 compost + 175/100 kg ha−1 NPK significantly (P < 0.001) recorded the highest millet yields of 1762 and 866 kg ha−1 while the highest cowpea yields of 360.5 and 389 kg ha−1 resulted from the application of 2500/5000 kg ha−1 compost + 75 kg ha−1 DAP. These findings suggest that, compost resulting from cattle manure plus cowpea haulm can be used by smallholder farmers to address soil fertility decline, improve nutrient availability and raise pearl millet and cowpea grain yield under strip cropping system.