Groundnut Haulms Research Articles

SUPPLEMENTAL EFFECTS OF GRADED LEVELS OF CASSAVA FOLIAGE ON THE UTILIZATION OF GROUNDNUT HAULMS BY SHEEP

<p>The use of cassava foliage in Nigeria as a low cost supplemental nitrogen to crop residues generally characterized by low nutrient levels has assisted microbial protein synthesis in the rumen of ruminant animals. The effects of the supplementation of groundnut haulms (GH) with graded levels of cassava foliage (CFL) at 0, 10, 20 and 30% on the performance of the West African dwarf (WAD) breed of sheep with average body weight of 13.20 ± 0.34kg were evaluated in a complete randomized design in a 90 day experiment. Data were obtained on feed intake, weight gain, digestibility and haematological parameters.<strong> </strong>Results showed that CFL supplementation of GH had a positive effect (P<0.05) on dry matter (DM) intake and weight gain of sheep. Sheep supplemented with 20% CFL showed better DM intake (455.74g/day), weight gain (45.24g/day) and feed conversion ratio (9.96). Digestibility values for dry matter and crude protein increased (P<0.05) with an increase with the inclusion levels of CFL in the diets but similar values observed in 20 and 30% CFL supplemental diets. Higher (P<0.05) values were observed in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell counts of sheep supplemented with graded levels of CFL. It was however concluded that the supplementation of groundnut haulms with cassava foliage offered sheep a better plane of nutrition, thereby supporting higher growth rates with sheep supplemented with 20% CFL inclusion levels having the best feed intake, digestibility and weight gain.</p>

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.

Effect of rate of application on degradation of imazethapyr in groundnut and soil under tropical Indian condition

Pesticides though formulated to be biologically degradable, few herbicides reported to cause surface and groundwater contamination which needs the monitoring of herbicide residues in environment continuously. Thus, to monitor the persistence and residues in crops, imazethapyr degradation studies were conducted in soil with groundnut cropping under Indian tropical condition. A groundnut field was treated with different doses of imazethapyr as early post emergence. Results showed that the degradation of imazethapyr in soil and groundnut plant followed first order reaction kinetics irrespective of the dose. The residue of imazethapyr persists in soil up to 60 days at higher rates of application while it persists up to 30 days in plant with the calculated half life of 2.8 to 7.4 days in soil and 5.1 to 5.9 days in plant. At the time of harvest, the residue of imazethapyr in soil, groundnut haulm or pods were below the detectable limit of 0.008 mg/kg across different doses of application. However, the continuous and inappropriate use in light textured soils may cause groundwater contamination and bioaccumulation in plant system. Hence, a pre harvest interval of 75 days must be allowed after the application of imazethapyr for the weed control in groundnut.

Release of minerals in groundnut haulm based complete diets supplemented with organic and inorganic mineral sources by in sacco method in steers

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic mineral supplementation to groundnut haulm (GNH) based complete diets on mineral release by in sacco method. A basal complete diet was prepared with GNH and concentrate mixture (8% maize, 10% soybean meal, 21.5% deoiled rice bran and 0.5% salt) in 60:40 ratio. The basal diet was treated as control (T1) and 3 more diets were prepared by supplementing basal diet with commercial mineral mixture (T2), inorganic mineral supplements (T3) and organic mineral supplements (T4). The commercial mineral mixture was added at the rate of 1.5% in T2/sub> diet by adjusting the deoiled rice bran to 20%. The inorganic mineral supplements were added at the rate of 26.4g (8.3g ZnSO4, 4.0g CuSO4 and 14.0 g MnSO4) in the T3 diet. The organic mineral supplements were added at the rate of 72g (12g Zn-P, 10 g Cu-P and 50g Mn-P) in the T4 diet. The in sacco mineral release of Cu, Mn and Zn from experimental diets showed that the disappearance % was higher in commercial mineral mixture supplemented diet followed by organic mineral supplemented diet, and then inorganic mineral supplemented diet. The in sacco copper, manganese and zinc release from feed ingredients revealed that copper disappearance (%) was higher in all the feed ingredients followed by Mn and Zn. The NDF degradability also increased with increase in incubation time. A correlation was drawn between in sacco mineral release and NDF degradability of the treatment diets. Significant positive correlation was observed between the NDF degradability and mineral release in the rumen. It can be concluded that the organic mineral supplements were better bioavailable than the inorganic mineral supplements.

In vivo evaluation of mineral bioavailability in groundnut haulm based complete diets supplemented with organic and inorganic mineral sources in goats

A study was carried out to evaluate in vivo mineral bio-availability in groundnut haulm based complete diets supplemented with organic and inorganic mineral sources in goats. A basal complete diet was prepared with GNH and concentrate mixture (8% maize, 10% soybean meal, 21.5% de-oiled rice bran and 0.5% salt) in 60: 40 ratio. The basal diet was treated as control (T1) and 3 more diets were prepared by supplementing basal diet with commercial mineral mixture at 1.5% (T2), inorganic mineral supplements at 26.4g (8.3 g ZnSO4, 4.0 g CuSO4 and 14.0 g MnSO4) (T3) and organic mineral supplements @ 72g (12g Zn-P,10 g Cu-P and 50g Mn-P) (T4). The CP, CF, EE, TA, AIA and NFE contents of the basal diet were 15.8, 20.0, 1.4, 17.8, 9.7 and 45.0% respectively. In vivo metabolic studies were carried out on 4 complete diets T1, T2, T3 and T4. The DMI was 2.7 kg/% body weight which is in accordance with ICAR (1998) recommendation. The DCP intake was 115.7, 121.2, 117 and 117 g/animal/day in T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. There was no significant difference between treatments with regard to DMI or DCP intake. Significant differences were also not observed between treatments with regard to total nitrogen excretion (g/day), N retention (g/day) and N retention expressed as % of intake. The N-retention expressed as % of intake in T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 57.1, 58.1, 52.0 and 54.1% respectively. The mineral supplementation did not influence the nitrogen retention in all the treatments. Positive nitrogen balances were observed in all the treatments showing that there was no negative effect of mineral supplementation on N- balance. The copper retention expressed as % of Cu intake in T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 65.1, 64.8, 70.8 and 75.0% respectively, suggesting that significant differences were observed between the treatments with regard to Cu intake (g/d) and copper retention (g/day). The zinc retention (g/day) and zinc retention expressed as per cent of intake showed significant differences between the treatments. Mn retention expressed as per cent of intake was 18.0, 38.2, 32.3 and 33.7% respectively in T1, T2, T3 and T4 treatments. Significant differences were observed between the treatments with regard to Mn intake (g/day), Mn retention and Mn retention expressed as % of intake. The plasma Cu, Mn and Zn concentrations in all the animals increased at the end of the metabolic study, as compared to the values at the start of the experiment. It can be concluded that the organic mineral supplements were better bio-available than the inorganic mineral supplements.

Effect of feeding varying levels of groundnut haulms on feed intake and growth performance in broiler chickens

Aim:This study was carried out to evaluate groundnut haulms (GNH) as alternate feed source by its incorporation and assessment in terms of feed intake and growth performance in the diets of broilers.Materials and Methods:A total of 240 1-day-old Cobb-400 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments each with three replicates (n=60). Experimental Birds in group T1 were fed with conventional feed while birds in T2, T3, T4 were fed containing 2%, 4%, and 6% of GNH replacing maize and soyabean on iso-nitrogenous basis.Results:Feed intake increases significantly (p>0.05) with increasing level of GNH in the diets of experimental birds. Highest feed intake was recorded in T4 (6% GNH), followed by T3 (4% GNH) than T2 (2% GNH) and T1 (control). Birds fed GNH gained significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight than birds fed the control diet. Birds in T4 [6% GNH] gained highest body weight, followed by T3 (4% GNH) than T2 (2% GNH) and T1 (control). However, feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained non-significant for all treatment groups.Conclusion:On the basis of the results of this study, it is concluded that supplementation of GNH can successfully replace costly ingredients like maize and soybean meal in the diets of broiler birds up to the level of 6 percent of concentrate mixture without any harmful effects on feed intake, growth and FCR.

Evaluation of nutrient composition of some cereals and legumes crops residues as compost materials

The use of compost for horticultural crops production in Nigeria is beginning to gain some attention, since it has been reported to improve plant growth and yield. Some cereals and legumes crops residues with potentials of being used as compost materials such as Sorghum Stovers, Rice Straws, Maize Stovers, Millet Stovers, Groundnut Haulms, Cowpea Stems and Cotton Stalks grown at the Kano University of Science and Technology Research farm were selected and analyzed for nutrient content. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using F-test. Results obtained indicated that Nitrogen (0.98gkg -1 ) and Phosphorous (0.31kg -1 ) were highly significant (p<0.05) in rice straws compared to other residues of cereals. Also Groundnut haulms was found to be highest in N(1.10kg -1 ) and P(0.0597) than other legumes residues. Other essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium and potassium were also determined. Generally, crop residues and their ashes are valuable materials that can be used in making compost fertilizer as they contain high amount of nutrients. However, intensive cultivation and crop residues removal tend to break the natural cycle and prevent the return of nutrient taken up by the crop to the soil. Keywords : Ashes, crop residues, compost and nutrients.

Rumenolith in a Greater Kudu Antelope (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) kept in Zoo

A dead, three-and-a-half year-old, female Greater Kudu antelope, weighing 194 kg was presented to the State House Veterinary Clinic Abuja, and was reported to have died the previous night. It had been showing frequent attempt to urinate, rolling on the ground, depression and off-feed for a few of days immediately prior to its death. It was said to have been in an enclosure, on zero grazing, but fed routinely on groundnut haulms and brewer’s bran. There was no cutaneous or muscular damage, except for signs of rigor mortis on physical examination of the carcass. Post mortem examination conducted revealed an irregular-shaped oblong mass in the rumen amidst the ingesta, which when exteriorized, felt hard and compact. The mass was discovered to be a rumenolith (mineral concretion in the rumen) weighing 2 kg. Other foreign materials found were a band of rubber tube and a broken piece of dry cell lead battery. Obstruction of the normal flow of rumen

Price and quality of livestock feeds in suburban markets of West Africa’s Sahel: Case study from Bamako, Mali

In West African Sahel cities, livestock husbandry such as smallholder dairy production and livestock (cattle, sheep and goat) fattening has become popular among livestock owners to meet food needs for the household, and for income generation. The increasing importance of urban and suburban agriculture, particularly livestock husbandry in the region, has led to a rapid increase in livestock populations in most of the cities. As a result of this increase and the associated growth in the demand for feeds, feed markets have sprung up in many cities and towns of West Africa’s Sahel. A survey of livestock feed markets was conducted in five markets in Bamako, Mali. Prices of livestock feeds were monitored monthly from January to December 2010. In addition, feed samples were collected from the markets for laboratory analysis to determine their nutritional quality. Results showed that the prices of cowpea hay and groundnut haulm were consistently higher than those of other feeds throughout the year. The price of cowpea hay ranged from 367 FCFA/kg dry matter (DM) (1 USD ≈ 500 FCFA) in October, i.e. immediately after harvest, to 667 FCFA/kg DM in August, i.e. in the wet season. Results also showed that there was no relationship between price and quality for all feed types. However, prices and quality of feeds differed significantly across seasons suggesting that the season was a major determinant for the price of livestock feeds in suburban areas of West Africa’s Sahel.

Impact of feeding on growth performance, blood biochemical and mineral profiles of pre-pubescent camels under pastoral management in arid western Rajasthan.

The experiment was undertaken on 20 pre-pubescent dromedary camels of 300 ± 7.0 kg average bodyweight (BW) and 1.5-2 years of age to determine change in body weight, blood biochemical and mineral profiles and morphometric parameters on rangeland grazing (GR) and supplementary stall feeding (GS) at arid northwestern part of Rajasthan over a period of 80 days. GR camels were maintained only on grazing, while GS camels were fed semi-intensively ad-lib groundnut haulms along with formulated concentrate and mineral mixture to meet maintenance requirement. Intake of young camels was determined using chromium(III) oxide as internal marker. The biomass yield of rangeland estimated was 0.54 t DM/ha. Dry matter intake (kg/day) by GR camels on rangeland grazing was lower than that by GS camels fed on supplementary feeding. The nutrient digestibility of dry matter and organic matter (P < 0.05) and crude protein was higher in GS camels than that in GR camels. Likewise, intake of digestible crude protein (P < 0.05) and metabolizable energy were higher in stall-fed young camels. Pre-pubescent camels fed on grazing had significantly (P < 0.01) low glucose and higher urea concentration compared to stall-fed camels. Final body weight of camels differed significantly (P < 0.05) between groups. The camels fed on supplementary stall feeding had significantly (P < 0.01) higher total gain (kg) and average daily gain (ADG) compared to camels on grazing. Among morphometric parameters, body length and body height showed more significant increase in GS compared to GR camels. Intake of digestible crude protein (DCP) by GR group was 43% low compared to the requirement for growing camel of 300 kg body weight. Despite this, GR camels were able to maintain body weight due to better recycling of urea which was significantly higher in comparison to GS camels. The findings of significantly (P < 0.01) low serum glucose and higher urea concentration and lower body weight gain of GR camels suggest the need of locally available protein and energy supplement in addition to grazing for better growth performance.

English

Thirty two, 6 to 8 weeks old rabbits of mongrel origin, balanced for sex and weighing averagely 0.92 kg were allotted to four dietary treatments in a complete randomized design (CRD) with 8 rabbits per treatment. The diets contained groundnut haulms (GH) at 40, 50, 60 and 70% levels of inclusion with a crude protein content of 16%. The rabbits were fed for eight weeks with 6 weeks of preliminary feeding and 2 weeks of faecal collection. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results obtained indicated an increase in feed conversion ratio (FCR), acid detergent fiber digestibility (ADFD), crude protein digestibility (CPD) and feed cost (=N=) / kg weight gain (FC/WG), and a decrease in dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility (DMD), daily weight gain (DWG), crude protein digestibility (CPD) and digestible dry matter intake (DDMI) with increasing fibre level. There was a significant difference (P<0.01) among the mean values for acid detergent fibre intake (ADFI) and digestible acid detergent fibre intake (DADFI) indicating that these variables were affected by fibre levels. All the rabbits fed on the four diets gained weight. Taking into consideration feed cost and the availability of grains as a limiting factor to increase animal production, it can be concluded that GH, a potential crop residue can be included in the diet of growing rabbits at up to 70% level, since this did not cause any significant deleterious effect on the growth and performance of the rabbits. Key words: Groundnut haulms, growth, performance, rabbits.

Effect of Summer Supplementary Feeding on Cattle Performance in Low Rainfall Grassland Savanna, South Darfur, Sudan

In a tropical ranch of animal production, which was divided by fire lines into 20 equal grazing paddocks of one mile square each, a grazing experiment was conducted as controlled rotational grazing with forty-five (45) cross-bred Sudanese improved Baggara cattle which were divided into four feeding systems (groups). A drop in condition scores of the farm cattle stock herd was treated during dry summer by supplementary feeding with four types of supplements to investigate the changes in average body weight changes, heart girth and condition scores, through dry summer, wet summer and winter seasons. The results showed that, animals of group three (G3) which supplemented with groundnut cake performed better in all body parameters under study when compared with group one (G1) and group two (G2) being supplemented with groundnut haulm, Stover respectively and group four (G4) which was kept under natural grazing as control group (Natural grazing alone) which reveals the worse body measurement traits performance under study. The effect of seasonal changes showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the seasons in average body weight in groundnut cake supplements both in dry and wet summer obtained better average body weight (162.53 Kg and 174.56 Kg respectively) than in groundnut haulm (in dry and wet summer -143.60 Kg and 163.50 Kg respectively), Stover supplements and natural grazing (controlled) groups. The results also showed that, the heart girth and condition score were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the treatments in wet summer and winter. While showing no significant difference between the treatments in dry summer, group supplemented with groundnut cake during the dry summer reported better performance in condition scores than other groups.

Effect of management practices on milk yield and live weight changes of indigenous breeds of goats supplemented with groundnut haulms and concentrate in sub humid zone of Nigeria

These studies were carried out at the Research farm of National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika to investigate the effect of management practices on the milk yield and live weight changes of grazing Red Sokoto and Sahelian goats as influenced by supplementation with groundnut haulms and concentrate. Experiment 1 involved 5 Red Sokoto goats with average weight of 27.3 ± 1.37Kg kept either on-farm or on-station and fed groundnut haulms or concentrate. The result showed that management had significant effect on average daily gain (ADG) of kid at 146.7± 0.62g (P&lt;0.01) and dam weight loss of -24.7±1.26g (P&lt;0.05). Milk yield was less sustained on farm. Week of lactation affected milk yield ( P&lt;0.01). In experiment 2, five goats of each of Red Sokoto or Sahelian breeds were randomly assigned to either groundnut haulms or concentrate as supplement. The results, showed that there were significant effect of breed (P&lt;0.0001) and week (P&lt;0.001) on milk yield, mean dam and kid weights respectively. The Red Sokoto dams had higher milk yield (414.1±47.19ml) than the Sahelian dams (203.2±46.61ml). Similarly, breed and type of supplementation fed showed significant difference (P&lt;0.005) on milk yield. Red Sokoto dams fed concentrate produced more milk (555.1±64.92ml) than Sahelian fed concentrate (295.2±69.51ml) or groundnut haulms (111.4±69.51ml). Also in comparing the kid growth performance between on-farm and on-station, The average daily gain of kids was 112.9g± 0.53 was significantly influenced by week of lactation, while dam lost an average of 11.7±0.65g indicating that kids managed on farm were heavier than those on station. However dam on-station lost less weight than those on-farms. The result showed that supplementation of grazing does with diets of protein source irrespective of management will improve milk yield and that heavier dams supported better kid growth.Keywords: On-farm, On-station, Performance, Red Sokoto, Sahelian..

Milk production performance of Friesian-Holstein cows fed diets containing Medicago sativa, Centrosema pubescens, or groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea)

To investigate the effect of feeding dairy cows diets containing lucerne hay, centrosema hay, and groundnut haulms (crop residue) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and milk composition, nine multiparous Friesian-Holstein cows in their mid-lactation stage were used in a 3 × 3 crossover design replicated three times. Dairy cows fed lucerne hay had significantly (p < 0.001) higher DMI than dairy cows fed centrosema hay. DMI for cows fed groundnut haulms and lucerne hay was not significantly different. Daily milk yield for dairy cows fed diet containing lucerne hay was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that for dairy cows fed diets containing groundnut haulms or centrosema hay. Milk composition and body condition scores of the cows were not significantly affected by either lucerne hay, groundnut haulms, or centrosema hay. Overall, the results in this study indicated that feeding dairy cows diets containing lucerne hay increased milk yield.

Effect of feeding maize silage supplemented with concentrate and legume hay on growth in Nellore ram lambs

Aim: The main intension of this research work is to develop a feeding system for growing Nellore ram lambs by feeding maize silage based rations supplemented with concentrate and or legume hay at certain levels to investigate the growth rate. Materials and Methods: Experimental animals (Nellore ram lambs) were purchased from local sandy and maize silage was prepared at village by using silos (9''L X 9''W X 8''D) and concentrate mixture was prepared at feed mill located at department by using locally available ingredients. Animals were housed in well ventilated sheds and were dewormed and vaccinated against diseases. Fortnightly body weights were taken by using spring balance and calculated the total weight gain and ADG. The experimental animals were divided into seven groups based on their body weight to contain six in each and were fed intensively for five months with sole maize silage (R-I), silage + concentrate at 0.5 per cent body weight (R-II), silage + concentrate at 1.0 per cent body weight (R-III), silage + concentrate at 1.5 per cent body weight (R-IV), silage + lucerne hay (R-V) and silage + GN haulms (R-VI) and sweet sorghum bagasse based complete diet (R-VII) to study the growth rate. Results: Significantly (P<0.01) increase in ADG was observed in ram lambs fed R-IV ration was 16.58, 20.49, 24.10, 29.74, 38.28 and 62.01 per cent, respectively in comparison to those fed R-VII, R-V, R-III, R-VI, R-II and R-I rations. Almost similar ADG was noticed in lambs fed R-III, R-V and R-VII rations and the supplementation of concentrate at 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% of body weight plus maize silage ad lib has increased the growth/gain in ram lambs by 62.48, 99.81 and 163.25 per cent, respectively in comparison to sole silage feeding. Similarly, supplementation of lucerne hay and groundnut haulms with maize silage has increased the weight gain by 109.31 and 84.97 per cent, respectively in comparison to sole maize silage fed animals. Sole sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) based complete ration (50:50) fed lambs (R-VII ration) showed the ADG almost similar to those animals fed lucerne hay plus maize silage ad lib. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that, maize silage can be supplemented either with lucerne hay, groundnut haulms (to meet 25% of DM requirement) or concentrate mixture at 1.5% of body weight for obtaining optimum growth rate in Nellore ram lambs.

Impact of diets with different levels of leguminous roughages on nutrient intake, draught performance, blood biochemical and physiological parameters in dromedary camels

The experiment was conducted using nine dromedary camels of Bikaneri breed averaging 8–9 years age and 583–692kg body weight at National Research Centre on Camels, Bikaner, India. The effect of feeding different levels of leguminous roughages on nutrient intake, draught performance, blood biochemical and physiological parameters in dromedary camels was evaluated using completely randomized design over a period of 60 days. Among the leguminous roughages, groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea) and cluster bean straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) were fed in one of three ratios, 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 in treatments T1, T2 and T3, respectively and concentrate mixture as per requirement of the camels. The dry matter intake (DMI) on percent and metabolic body weight basis did not differ significantly among the treatments. However, digestible crude protein intake (DCPI) was significantly higher in T1 followed by T2 and T3. Likewise, total digestible nutrients intake (TDNI) was higher in T1 as compared to T2 and T3. The nutritive value was significantly higher in camels fed on T1 as compared to other treatments. The feeding of different levels of groundnut haulms and cluster bean straw influenced the speed of travel and power developed by the camels which was significantly better in T1 followed by T2 and T3. There was significant change in blood biochemical parameters with response to treatments and work. The treatment groups did not show any significant effect on lactate, triglycerides, phosphorus and calcium content of blood in camels before work. There was increase in lactate content in all the treatments manifold times after work. There was significant increase in glucose content when the camels were exposed to work which also differed significantly among the treatment groups. The increase in physiological responses was noted in all the treatments before and after work but the difference was statistically significant for pulse and respiration rates. It has been concluded from the results that feeding of groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea) and cluster bean straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in proportion of 75:25 had beneficial effect as compared to other treatment groups and is recommended for better performance of dromedary camels. However, the cluster bean straw in higher proportions can be used in the ration of dromedary camels with certain roughage improvement practices.

Productive and Blood Indices of Dwarf Rams Fed a Mixture of Rice Straw and Groundnut Haulms Alone or Supplemented with Concentrates Containing Different Levels of Shea Nut Cake

3 Abstract: Six juvenile West African dwarf rams were used for three periods in a double 3 x 3 Latin square design to test the nutritional value of three home-made diets meant for use as dry season sheep feed in the Tolong-Kumbungu district of the Northern region of Ghana. The three dietary treatments were: mixture of 625 g/kg DM rice straw and 375 g/kg DM groundnut haulms (T1), T1 + concentrate feed containing 115 g/kg DM shea nut cake (T2) and T1 + concentrate feed containing 230 g/kg DM shea nut cake (T3). Each period consisted of 14 days of adaptation to the feed and 14 days in which data were collected. Total DMI was significantly low (p<0.05) when the rams were on T1 (453.4 g/d) compared to when on T2 (612.0 g/d) and T3 (627.6 g/d). Daily weight gain values obtained when rams were on T1 and T3 differed (p<0.05), but the value obtained when on T2 was similar to T1 and T3; the values being 20.3 g, 31.2 g and 39.3 g for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Concentrate supplementation improved DM and CP digestibility with values being significantly higher on T2. Supplementation did not affect the haematological and serum biochemical indices of the rams except total protein and albumin, which two values were significantly high on T3. It was observed that supplementation increased DMI, daily weight gain and serum total protein and albumin due to the high crude protein and energy contents of the supplemental concentrate. It was concluded that all three test diets were suitable for dry season sheep feeding in the test area and that shea nut cake could be included in sheep diets up to 230 g/kg DM without any harmful effect on their haematological and serum biochemical profile.

Effect of feeding different proportions of groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea) and cluster bean straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) on nutrient utilisation and serum biochemical parameters in dromedary camels

The effect of feeding different proportions of groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea) and cluster bean straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) on nutrient digestibility, nutritive value, nutrient intake and serum biochemical parameters was studied using nine male dromedary camels of Bikaneri breeds (637.5 kg average body weight; 8-9 years of age). Groundnut haulms (GNH) and cluster bean straw (CBS) were fed in one of three ratios, 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 in treatments T(1), T(2) and T(3), respectively. In all treatments, concentrate mixture was fed as per requirement of the camels. The groundnut haulms were more nutritive as compared to the cluster bean straw. The nutrient digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein (CP), crude fibre and acid detergent fibre was better in T(1) than T(2) and T(3). Likewise, the CP, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient contents were significantly higher in T(1) followed by T(2) and T(3). There was non-significant affect on average daily gain of camels. However, dry matter intake, digestible crude protein intake and total digestible nutrients were better in T(1) as compared to T(2) and T(3). The total water intake per kilogram of dry matter intake (litres) was 2.98, 2.89 and 2.68, respectively, in T(1), T(2) and T(3). The camels in all the treatments were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. The treatments had a significant effect on serum biochemical parameters like glucose, cholesterol, aspartate transaminase and creatinine. The results may conclude that feeding of higher proportion of groundnut haulms as compared to cluster bean straw has pronounced improvement in nutritional utilisation by the camels.

Opportunities for exploiting variations in haulm fodder traits of intermittent drought tolerant lines in a reference collection of groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.)

Groundnut haulm has a great value as feed stock in the semi-arid tropics. Two-hundred-two and 194 cultivars of groundnut grown under intermittent water stress and fully irrigated treatment for two consecutive years at ICRISAT (2008/2009 and 2009/2010) in Patancheru in India were investigated for haulm fodder quality traits and for potential trade-offs between pod or haulm yield and haulm fodder traits. Highly significant ( P < 0.0001) cultivars-dependent variations were found for a range of laboratory haulm fodder quality traits. Haulm nitrogen contents ranged from 1.94 to 2.88% and from 1.81 to 2.66% while in vitro digestibility ranged from 57.3 to 64.3% and from 59.5 to 64.2% under water restriction and fully irrigated conditions, respectively. Under fully irrigated conditions haulm nitrogen content and in vitro digestibility were mildly, but significantly inversely, related to pod yields with the two haulms traits accounting for 5 and 4% of the variations in pod yields. However, potential trade-offs between haulm traits and pod yields became more pronounced under water stress where variations in haulm nitrogen content and in vitro digestibility accounted for 40 and 28% of the variations in pod yields, respectively. For haulm nitrogen content and in vitro digestibility no significant interactions were observed between cultivar and treatment suggesting stability of haulm fodder traits across poorer and better water management practices. These results demonstrate that breeding for fodder traits in groundnut can be parallel to breeding for productivity traits, although careful choice of cultivars with high fodder trait value would be needed under water stress conditions.

Effects of groundnut haulms supplementation on millet stover intake, digestibility and growth performance of lambs

Supplementing millet stover (MS) with groundnut haulms (GH), millet bran (MB) and wheat bran (WB) can improve its nutritional value and promote live weight (LW) gain of sheep. The purpose of this study was to develop a MS supplementation strategy for smallholder farmers. For 66d, effects of GH, MB and WB supplementation on MS intake and growth performance of lambs were assessed, after which digestibility was determined over 14d. Four levels of GH (0, 200, 400, and 600g) and two others (600g GH+100g MB) and (600g GH+75g WB) were described as GH0, GH200, GH400, GH600, GHMB and GHWB, respectively. GH supplementation had a positive linear effect (P<0.01) on dry matter (DM) and N intake of MS, but MS intake decreased (P<0.05), while DM intake increased (P<0.01), with increasing levels of GH. Millet bran increased intake of DM (P<0.05), organic matter (OM) (P<0.05) and N (P<0.01), while WB increased intake of MS (P<0.05), DM (P<0.05), OM (P<0.01), N (P<0.001) and fibre (P<0.05). GH supplementation had a positive linear effect on digestibility of DM, fibre and N. GH also had a positive linear effect (P<0.001) on LW gain and feed conversion efficiency. The maximum average daily LW gain (80.5g/d) was with GHWB followed by GHMB (68g/d). Sheep fed GH0 lost LW (19.1g/d). Supplementation of MS with GH and either of the brans improved digestibility and intakes of DM, OM, fibre and N. The LW gain and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) also increased when WB was added. It is suggested that, in the dry season, it is practical to supplement sheep with low levels (i.e., 200g) of GH to support moderate LW gain or with 600g GH+75g WB to support high LW gain.