Feed Intake and Nutrient Utilization by Three Breeds of Cattle

Abstract

Two feeding and digestibility trials were carried out to investigate the effects of groundnut cake (GNC) supplementation on feed intake, DM digestibility, nutrient utilization and liveweight gain of three breeds of cattle fed on all-roughage rations (hay and fresh grass) of Cynodon nlemfuensis var robustus. The results showed a decrease in mean DM intake of the basal ration by approximately 13.14%; 1.9% and 6.4% and an increase in total dry matter intake (basal + GNC supplement) of approximately 0.42%), 11.56% and 11.04% for the indigenous, crosses and exotic animals respectively. The results also showed non-significent increases in the apparent digestibilities of the nutrients. Both the total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) kg/W^0.75 and Metabolizable Energy (ME) Kcal/W^0.75 intake by the three breeds of cattle were increased with supplementation and mean daily liveweight increased by 18.92%, 13.15% and 16.27% respectively.