African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6831

Article in Press

Evaluation for chemical composition and digestibility of livestock feeds in Adwa district of central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Tikabo Gebremariam, Shumuye Belay

  •  Received: 05 August 2020
  •  Accepted: 16 June 2021
Feed database serves as basic decision support tools required for feed improvement. The objective of the study was to evaluate the chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of major feed resources available in Adwa district of central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Representative feed samples were collected from nine major feed resources. The samples were analyzed for chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) following proper scientific procedures. Crude protein (CP) was recorded in the following descendant order: Atella (21.50%), Gillet (21.00%), green grass (15.64%), hay (7.55%) and crop residues (2.76-5.41%). The metabolizable energy (ME) was measured higher in Atella (12.00 MJ/kg DM) and Gillet (10.96 MJ/kg DM) than green grass (7.42 MJ/kg DM), followed by hay (7.82 MJ/kg DM) and crop residues (6.42-8.56 MJ/kg DM). The lowest fiber content was found in Atella (45.80% NDF) and the highest in crop residues (74.51-83.92 % NDF). The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was recorded higher in Atella (82.38%) and Gillet (76.22%) than other feeds. From the crop residues, the highest digestibility was found in teff straw (62.10%) and the lowest in maize stover (49.53%). Further investigations using in vivo techniques is needed to explore the non-conventional feed resources

Keywords: Atella, digestibility, mineral profile, non-conventional feeds, nutritive value.