Daniellia oliveri as a fodder tree for small ruminant and the interaction of its tannin with ruminal ammonia

Daniellia Oliveri was examined as a potential fodder for small ruminant, using nine castrated and ruminally fistulated West African Dwarf sheep (29 kg BW) to determine rumen ammonia and nutrient digestibility. Dried leaves of Daniellia oliveri were offered at two levels (25% and 50% of DMI) as supplement to a basal hay diet. A digestibility trial of 8 days was conducted after 10 days of adaptation period. Rumen liquor was sampled one hour before, and one, three and five hours after the morning feeding for three consecutive days. Diet D50% showed a higher (P<0.05) pH than both the control and D25% diets, respectively. Diet D25% had an inferior (P<0.05) pH than the controls. The ruminal ammonia concentration of D25% was superior (P<0.05) to D50% and the controls, respectively. Similarly, diet D50% had a superior (P<0.05) ruminal ammonia concentration than the controls. There were significant increases (P<0.05) in the OM, CP, NDF, ADF, ADL and cellulose intake of D50% diet compared with the controls. Similarly, inclusion level of 50% Daniellia oliveri resulted in a reduction (P<0.05) in digestibility of DMI, OM, NDF, ADF and ADL, in comparison to sheep fed the control diet. Cellulose and hemi-cellulose digestibility of diet D50% was superior (P<0.05) to that of the controls. It would appear that condensed tannins had inhibitory effect on organic matter and detergent fibre digestibility. It was concluded that Daniellia oliveri with a high CP and GE (165 g/kg and 20.3 kJ/g DM) respectively, could serve as a fodder tree for small ruminant in spite of its relatively high content of condensed tannin (48 g/kg DM). An inclusion range of 25 to 50% was recommended during period of scarcity.

Preference, Voluntary Feed Intake, and Digestibility of Sheep Fed Untreated Rice Straw and Supplemented with Sole or Combined Fodder Tree Leaves

Three experiments were conducted to measure the preference, voluntary feed intake (VFI), and digestibility of forest type (FT) sheep fed untreated rice straw (RS) and supplemented with either sole or combined fodder tree leaves [Leucaena (L), Samanea (S) or Gliricidia (G) and their equal combinations]. The preference index (PI) was determined by consumption difference of the three fodder tree leaves (FTL), using 12 FT sheep (6 rams and 6 ewes of average weight 17.0 ± 1 kg). The sheep were offered the FTL in a cafeteria-style, and the consumption within the first 1 h was used to rank them. The sheep showed marked preference (P < 0.0001) for Leucaena over either Samanea or Gliricidia. The PI followed this order: Leucaena > Samanea > Gliricidia. For the VFI study, a total of 24 FT sheep (16 rams and 8 ewes) of average weight 17.0 ± 1.0 kg were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments were T1 (100% urea-ammoniated straw), T2 (RS + 100% L), T3 (RS + 100% S), T4 (RS + 100% G), T5 (RS + 50% L: 50% S), T6 (RS + 50% L: 50% G), T7 (RS + 50% G: 50% S), T8 (RS + 33% L: 33% G: 33% S). There were significant differences in the total and straw DM intakes. Total DM intake ranged from (523 to 694 g/d) whilst straw DM intake ranged from (430 to 692 g/d). The highest (P < 0.0001) total and straw DM intake were observed in sheep fed T8 and T1 diets compared to the other treatment diets. Feeding sole Gliricidia resulted in the lowest straw and total DM intakes but combining it with either Leucaena or Samanea improved intakes. In the digestibility study, 16 rams (average weight = 17.0 ± 1.0 kg) and same treatments for the VFI study were used to determine DM digestibility (DMD) and digestible organic matter in dry matter (DOMD). The DMD values ranged from 52.50% to 67.20 % while the DOMD was between 55.14 and 70.36%. Feeding T1 resulted in the highest (P = 0.027) DMD, and (P < 0.0001) DOMD but combining the FTL improved DMD and DOMD for the supplemented diets. The results of the study indicated that feeding combined FTL (3 FTL) resulted in a similar performance as that of the urea-ammoniated straw and could be used a low-cost protein supplement for sheep on low-quality roughage.

Nutritive values of fodders at different seasons and altitudes in Gandaki River Basin of Nepal

This study aimed to assess the seasonal and ecological variation of chemical and nutritional values of locally preferred fodders in Gandaki River Basin (GRB) areas. The study was conducted in four altitudinal gradients viz. <400m, 400-800m, 800-1200m and 1200–1600m altitude above sea level in different looping seasons: rainy, spring and winter seasons. The most important five species of fodder trees Artocarpus lakoocha, Ficus roxburghii, Thysanolaena maxima, Ficus semicordata and Bauhinia purpurea were selected based on farmers’ preferences in nutritional values. Fodder samples comprised young leaves, old leaves and young twigs that were taken in July, September and December. It was revealed that nutritive value is not very much influenced by altitude but it is strongly influenced by lopping seasons. Among Thysanolaena maxima, Artocarpus lakoocha, Ficus roxburghii and Bauhinia purpurea the cellulose contents were significantly different (p<0.001) with seasons but there was no significant variation with altitudes. Similarly, Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) contents in Thysanolaena maxima, Ficus roxburghii and Bauhinia purpurea were found significantly different with seasons. Ficus roxburghii fodder tree was found significantly different in Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), ADF, Cellulose and Potassium content with seasons. Similarly, fodder tree Bauhinia purpurea was found significant on Dry matter (DM), Crude fibre (CF), NDF, ADF, cellulose, tannin and potassium with seasons. The study hinted how careful planning of species selection and prudent decision in scheduling looping and feeding fodder trees can help improve animal metabolism, health, growth and productivity.

Indigenous technical knowledge of people on fodder tree management

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