The effects of drying temperature on chemical composition and nutritive value of some tropical fodder shrubs

The effects of drying temperature on chemical composition and nutritive value of leaves of the shrub legumes Acacia angustissima (Miller) Kuntze, Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit were determined in two studies in Zimbabwe. In the first study, the effects of shade-, sun- and oven-drying leaves on chemical composition and protein precipitation capacity of tannin extracts were studied. Drying method affected (P<0.01) chemical composition, with cell wall polysaccharides increasing from shade drying to oven drying. Calliandra calothyrsus leaves had the highest total phenolics, tannin phenolics and the lowest N content. About 40% of phenolics in L. leucocephala were non-tannin compared to less than 15% in A. angustissima and C. calothyrsus. Extractable proanthocyanidins and their capacity to precipitate protein were affected (P<0.01) by drying method; extracts from shade-dried leaves were 10% and 20% more reactive than extracts from sun- and oven-dried leaves, respectively. The relative degree of polymerisation of the proanthocyanidins was higher (P<0.01) for oven-dried (1.44) leaves compared to shade-dried (1.01) and sun-dried (1.00) leaves. Drying temperature influences the nutrient–polyphenolic interactions in A. angustissima, C. calothyrsus and L. leucocephala leaves and these interactions have important implications for feed evaluation protocols and for use of these leaves in ruminant feeding systems. The second study considered the effects of feeding sun-dried or fresh leaves of the three shrub legumes as supplements to native pasture hay on nutrient intake and digestion by goats. Feeding the fresh or dry leaves made no difference in terms of dry matter intake and digestion, and N digestion. This offers farmers flexibility in terms of feeding strategies, as they can feed the browse in any form that suits their farm situation. Increasing the level of C. calothyrsus in the diet increased faecal N. Nitrogen retention was lower for animals fed with C. calothyrsus compared to those fed with the other browses.

Enriching livestock wealth through enhanced fodder production and supply systems

Livestock sector in India contributes to nearly 32% of the agricultural output and the livestock population is estimated to be surpassing half of the human population. However, the fodder supply in all the three forms, green, dry and concentrates is in deficit quantities; running respectively, to more than 60%, 20% and 60%.

Fodder shrubs for dairy farmers in East Africa: making extension decisions and putting them into practice

Fodder shrubs provide a valuable feed supplement for dairy cows and goats, especially during the dry season. Their clear benefits have resulted in their widespread adoption in many parts of East Africa. These woody shrubs can be managed to provide nutritious fodder from their leaves, to supplement the diets of livestock, particularly dairy cows and goats. The leaves contain much more protein than the rest of the animals’ normal diet of grasses and crop residues, and this makes them able to produce more milk. Other types of livestock can also benefit from the extra protein, but it has the biggest effect on milk production. The fodder plants are usually managed by repeated pruning so that they are kept in the form of multi-stemmed shrubs, usually grown in rows to form a hedge about m high. This is not, of course, the only possible way of managing them, but it is a system that has been thoroughly researched and tested, and has proved to be very well suited to the mixed small-scale farming system found in many parts of East Africa (mainly Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda). This book focuses specifically on this system, and on the species that are commonly used in it.

Agroforestry technlogies and fodder production – concepts and examples

As evidenced by various literature references, woody perennials are an important source of livestock feed; particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. Most of the research reported in the literature has focused on arid and semi-arid rangeland; it is however, argued that livestock feed from woody perennials in the subhumid tropics is also of considerable economic importance. This is supported by information from ICRAF’s Multipurpose Tree and Shrub Data Base, according to which fodder from trees as a priority us e occurs in the subhumid almost as often as in the arid and semi-arid zones. To resolve the problem of confusing terminology and to define agroforestry technologies clearly, a standardized modular technology description system is introduced. Part of this system is the association of tree characteristics to individual technologies. This link between tree characteristics and technologies will enable the MPTS Data Base to identify species that match any given combination of tree characteristics pertaining to one or several technologies. Finally, an interactive structural model is developed that shows the relationship among components, technologies, and systems. Arguments are provided for assigning a central role to technologies within this structural model, and the advantages of increased technology-oriented research efforts are highlighted.

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