FEEDING PREFERENCE OF WHITE FULANI CATTLE (BUNAJI) FED SACCIOLEPIS AFRICANA LEAF MEAL

Abstract

Sacciolepis africana has been identified as water weed, which constitute a manace in rice and maize fields due to its aggressive growth. Utilization of Sacciolepis africana can help to mitigate the challenge and also serve as feed ruminant especially during the period of dry season. Hence, this experiment was conducted to determine the feeding preference and acceptability for Sacciolepis africana leaves by White Fulani Cattle (Bunaji). Sacciolepis africana leaves were harvested and processed into four treatments viz: Diet 1 (Freshly cut Sacciolepis africana), diet 2 (Air-dried Sacciolepis africana), diet 3 (Sun-dried Sacciolepis Africana) and diet 4 (Ensiled Sacciolepis africana). Proximate composition of the diets was carried out, and feeding preference of Bunaji cattle was observed. Results indicated that proximate composition of diets were influenced (P<0.05) by processing methods. Coefficient of Preference (CoP) of diets revealed that fresh Sacciolepis africana was most preferred with a CoP of 1.73, followed by the air-dried Sacciolepis africana with CoP values of 1.17. It is concluded that, processing Sacciolepis africana improved its nutritional composition and that the fresh Sacciolepis africana was most preferred by Bunaji cattle.