Indexing Ethiopian Feed Stuffs Using Relative Feed Value: Dry Forages and Roughages, Energy Supplements, and Protein Supplements

Abstract

Once hay is harvested, it is important to determine the nutrient composition so as to match feeds to animal requirements. Crude protein (CP) and relative feed values (RFV), to most livestock farmers, are the basis on how much hay to buy or feed livestock. Relative feed value (RFV) is a prediction of feeding value that combines estimated intake and estimated digestibility into a single index. Digestibility and intake estimates are calculated from the concentration of acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). This study was designed to compare the values of different feed stuffs. This study was base on three feed types: Dry forages and roughages, Energy supplements, and Protein supplements. The RFV among the grasses natural pasture showed  the highest RFV (83%) and the list was seen on rhodus grass (63%); among the crop residues pulse straw was with the highest and the list being wheat straw [pulse straw was the only legume straw with RFV of 96%, between the stovers: maize stover was with the higher RFV (69%), and among the cereal straws barley straw had the highest RFV (68%) and the list was found in wheat straw (61%)]; among the energy supplements sorghum grain was with the highest (246%) and the list is found to be wheat short (130%). In the protein supplement feed stuffs among the foliages cassava leaf had have the highest RFV (223%) while the list was on luceana (101%), among the legumes alfalfa had the highest RFV (218%) and the list was on pigeon pea (95%), among the oil seed cakes linseed cake had the highest RFV (201%) and list was on noug seed cake (175%).

Keywords: bran, foliages, grasses, oil seed cakes, peals, straws, stovers, legumes