INTAKE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF N'DAMA CATTLE FED CONCENTRATE DIETS CONTAINING VARYING LEVELS OF CORNCOB

Abstract

One possible way to mitigate the scarcity of quality feedstuffs during the dry season is to explore alternative feed resources. This reduces the cost of animal production without a decrease in productivity. Four N'Dama heifers with average live weight of 70 kg + 0.21 were used to evaluate the effects of feeding concentrate containing corncob in varying proportions in combination with guinea grass (Panicum maximum) in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin Square design. Diets were formulated to consist of 0% corncob (CC) (T1), 25% CC (T2), 50% CC (T3) and 75% CC (T4). Crude protein and ash contents of diets were (16.7 -18.4%) and 5.0-6.9%) respectively. The cattle on diet 4 had the least DMI (73.8%), CPD (76.9%) and ME (24.6 MJ/Kg DM). Corncob can be used in concentrate ration for cattle up to 50% inclusion level.