Degradation of Sorghum Stover Diets Fortified with Cowpea Grains in the Rumen of Yankasa Sheep

Abstract

The effect of fortification of sorghum stover (SS) with cowpea grain at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% on rumen degradation were evaluated using the nylon bag technique at the Teaching and Research Farm, Bayero University, Kano. Treatments were incubated for 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72hrs using three matured fistulated Yankasa sheep. Levels of cowpea grain inclusion in the treatments had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the degradability of dry matter, with the 40% supplementation promoting higher degradability as from 24 to 48hrs. It was observed that extended period of incubation significantly influenced (p<0.001) SS in- sacco dry matter degradability in the following decreasing order of time 72, 48, 36, 24 and 12hrs. Longer incubation period also resulted in lower EE, CP, CF and Ash content (p>0.05) of the feedstuffs evaluated. It was therefore concluded, based on the data obtained, that greater degradation of sorghum stover can be achieved by inclusion of 40% cowpea grain in the supplementation of Yankasa sheep. It is thus recommended that higher levels of cowpea grain inclusion be evaluated to attain maximum potential and the economic implications.