Nutritional Comparison of Feed Resources for Ruminant Animals Feeding in Ethiopia Using Relative Forage Quality

Abstract

Feed resources are distinctive mixtures of forages that differ in their qualities. This study was conducted to explain forage quality and compare the feeds value nutritionally. The study was based on three feed types that are dry forages and roughages, energy supplements, and protein supplements. All samples were collected from different regions and research centers of Ethiopia. Representative samples of each feed materials collected from respective sites were prepared and made ready for standard methods of chemical analysis. Then, the relative forage qualities (RFQ) were calculated from chemical analysis result following standard equations and were analyzed using statistical package. In comparison of RFQ for each feed categories, the highest RFQ content was found to be 136.11, 137.86, 131.88, 157.53, 168.83, and 154.30 for thatch grass, sorghum stover, sorghum grain, moringa leaf, alfalfa, and noug seed cake respectively. In contrary, the lowest was found to be 118.69, 122.21, 51.16, 140.44, 98.56, and 93.90 in panicum, tef straw, cassava root, luceneana leaf, cowpea, and cotton seed cake respectively.  Crude protein (CP) content of feed resources which are prominent indicators in determining forage quality did not show to go with the RFQ. Understanding forage quality and also the factors that have an effect on its constituents can facilitate improve farm animal production by creating choices that optimize forage utilization. Therefore, combination of the protein supplements and energy supplements with the monocots will give correct feeding and daily protein/energy needs of farm animal grazing in the study area and the country Ethiopia at large.

Keywords: monocots; protein supplements; energy supplements; nutritive value