The study was conducted in Abergelle district of Tigray, northern Ethiopia with the objectives of evaluating the chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in sacco degradability characteristics of foliages of major browse species. Samples of foliages from 12 and 10 browse species were collected during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The samples of the browse species were collected based on their abundance in the district, preference by livestock to browse them, accessibility to browsing and their additional uses other than livestock feed. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was higher in the browse species during the wet compared to the dry season except for Sterculia africana and Ziziphus spina-christi. Similar trends were observed for acid detergent fiber (ADF) content except for Acacia asak. The condensed tannins content and the IVDMD of the browse species had inverse relationships in both seasons. The in sacco dry matter (DM) and nitrogen degradability parameters of the browse species were seasonally variable. Based on in sacco potential DM and nitrogen degradation of the browse species in both seasons, Acacia oerfota, Acacia tortilis, Balanites aegyptiaca, Boswellia papyrifera, Sterculia africana, Terminalia brownii and Ziziphus spina-christi were ranked to be superior in their nutritive value, and thus can have better use as animal feeds. Consequently, these browse species could be considered in agro-forestry systems for better integration of livestock production with available feed resources in semi-arid areas.

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This study was conducted to evaluate slaughter performance and meat quality of Begait sheep breed reared under different feeding options. Thirty intact fattening lambs (32.81 AE 2.39 kg) were used in randomized completely block design with three dietary treatments in ten replicates for a 90 day feeding trial. Dietary treatments constituted grass hay fed ad libitum to all treatments plus supplemented with mixed diet of 48% wheat bran, 15% molasses, 35% cotton seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone (T1); 43% wheat bran, 20% sorghum grain, 35% noug seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone (T2) and 47% wheat bran, 16% molasses, 35% sesame seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone (T3). At the end of the experimental period, six lambs randomly chosen from each treatment were slaughtered to determine the carcass traits and meat quality. Results showed that most carcass and meat traits were affected by diets. Average daily gain (ADG) was higher (P < 0.001) for T3 (158 g/day) than T2 (120 g/day) and T1 (118 g/day). Hot carcass weight (HCW) was higher (P < 0.001) for T3 (19.50 kg) than T2 (17.43 kg) and T1 (17.20 kg). Meat pH (5.43-5.56) and drip loss (3.03-3.23%) were similar (P > 0.05) among all treatments. Meat from animals in T3 (33.97 L*) was lighter (P < 0.001) than T2 (30.75 L*) and T1 (29.43 L*). Shear force and cooking loss were greater (P < 0.05) for T1 (42.6 N and 26.12%) than T2 (40.4 N and 24.39%) and T3 (40.7 N and 24.18%). No variation was seen in meat moisture, protein and ash contents (P > 0.05) while intramuscular fat was higher in T3 (4.18%) than T2 (3.87%) and T1 (3.79%) (P < 0.01). The study indicated that carcass traits and meat quality could be modulated through dietary manipulation.

Thirty intact growing lambs were used to evaluate feed intake, digestibility and growth performance of Begait sheep breed kept under different feeding options. Animals were used in randomized completely block design with three dietary treatments in ten replicates. Treatments were grass hay fed ad libitum to all treatments plus a mixed diet of 48% wheat bran, 15% molasses, 35% cotton seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone (T1); 43% wheat bran, 20% sorghum grain, 35% Noug seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone (T2) and 47% wheat bran, 16% molasses, 35% sesame seed cake, 1% salt and 1% limestone (T3). Sheep in T3 (1123 g DM/day) consumed more feed (P < 0.001) as compared to sheep in T2 (1077 g DM/day) and T1 (1057 g DM/day). Higher apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF were obtained in T3 groups than in the other treatment groups (P < 0.05). Average daily gain was significantly higher for T3 (158 g/day) than T2 (120 g/day) and T1 (118 g/day) (P < 0.001). Diet 3 was better as compared to the other feeding options.