ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FEEDING YANKASA RAMS WITH UREA-TREATED SUGARCANE BAGASSE SUPPLEMENTED WITH YEAST AND ENZYME

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to determine the economic benefits of feeding Yankasa rams with treated sugarcane bagasse supplemented with yeast and enzyme. Twenty-four (24) Yankasa rams with mean body live weight 18±0.2 kg were used for the study. The rams were allotted to treatments in a 2×3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effect of inclusion levels of enzyme (2, 4 and 6g/kg) in treated bagasse with or without yeast at 5g/kg of diet inclusions levels for 90 days. Data collected were analyzed using the general linear model procedure of SAS and significant differences were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The result indicated that there was a significant (P<0.05) difference total weight gain and average daily gain. Total feed intake was increased by 16% in rams fed TMR without yeast and 2g inclusion level of enzyme compared to those fed TMR with yeast and 6g inclusion level of enzyme. Rams fed TMR without yeast and 6g/kg inclusion level of enzyme had highest cost/kg gain (₦491.88) while rams fed TMR with yeast and 4g/kg inclusion level had the least cost/kg gain (₦418.82). The value of gain decreases with increase in inclusion level of enzyme in TMR with yeast. However, income incurred over cost was increased by 35% in rams TMR with yeast and 4g/kg inclusion level of enzyme. Rams fed TMR with yeast and 4g/kg inclusion level of enzyme had higher income (₦1523.4) while least income incurred (₦1210.2, ₦1164.3 and ₦986.0) was recorded in rams fed TMR without yeast and 2, 4 and 6g/kg respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that 4g/kg inclusion level of enzyme with yeast had higher net benefits and farmers should include enzyme at 4g/kg with yeast for better economic returns.