Effects of Timing of Initial Cutting and Subsequent Cutting on Yields and Chemical Compositions of Cassava Hay and Its Supplementation on Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to examine the production and quality of cassava hay and its utilization in diets for dairy cows. In experiment I, a 2×2 Factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications was carried out to determine the effects of different initial (IC) and subsequent cutting (SC) on yield and composition of cassava plant. The results revealed that cassava could produce from 4 to 7 tonne of DM and 1.2 to 1.6 tonne of CP for the first six months after planting. CP content in cassava plant ranged from 20.8 to 28.5% and was affected by different SC regimes. Condensed tannin in cassava foliage ranged from 4.9 to 5.5%. Initial cutting at 2 months with subsequent cutting at 2 month intervals was the optimal to obtain high dry matter and protein yield. In the second experiment, five crossbred Holstein-Friesian cows in mid lactation with an initial live-weight of 505±6.1 kg and average milk yield of 10.78±1.2 kg/d were randomly assigned in a 5×5 Latin square design to study the effects of 2 levels of CH (1 and 2 kg/hd/d) and concentrate (1 to 2 kg of milk and 1 to 3 kg of milk) on milk yield and milk composition. The results showed that cassava hay increased rumen NH 3 -N and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) (p<0.05). Cassava hay tended to increase milk production and 4% FCM. Milk protein increased in cows fed cassava hay (p<0.05). Moreover, cassava hay could reduce concentrate levels in dairy rations thus resulting in increased economic returns. Cassava hay can be a good source of forage to reduce concentrate supplementation and improve milk quality.

Potential uses of local feed resources for ruminants

“…Sweet potato is an important tropical crop and is now cultivated in more than 100 countries. It can be planted by root or vine (Hong et al 2003). Sweet potato produces a large amount of biomass yield that is nonetheless affected by season, climate, time of harvesting, defoliation and purpose of use.…”

Effect of replacing alfalfa hay with a mixture of cassava foliage silage and sweet potato vine silage on ruminal and intestinal digestion in sheep

“…Although supplementing basal tropical forage diets with SPV improved apparent nutrient digestion (Etela et al 2008a(Etela et al , 2009, feeding SPV at more than 30% of DM caused a reduction of protein and NDF digestibility (Aregheore 2004;Megersa et al 2013). The supplementation of 20-30% CF in dietary DM as a major protein source in ruminant diets improved apparent DM digestibility and protein utilization and modified rumen fermentation, and consequently enhanced animal productivity (Hong et al 2003;Khang & Wiktorsson 2004a;Abatan et al 2015). The CF contained higher CP but lower ruminal degradable protein than AH (Oni et al 2010;Miranda et al 2012).…”

The Use of Cassava, Sweet Potato and Cocoyam, and Their By-Products by Non – Ruminants

“…It has good mineral profile and rich in v itamins like A, B 2 , C and E. Apart fro m its nutritive values, sweet potato leaves can be harvested many times throughout the year [78] thereby making the leaf meal to be abundant. The major factor limiting its use in monogastric animal is the presence of anti-nutrit ional factors [79].…”