The suitability of five species of Ficus, F. mucoso, F. thonningii, F. polita, F. religiosa and F. benjamina, for feeding ruminant livestock was studied. The nutritive and antinutritive components were determined and the acceptability of the forages to livestock was assessed using a cafeteria method in 8 adult small ruminants. Also, the degradation potential of the dry matter of the five Ficus species was investigated using 3 fistulated sheep. The crude protein (CP) content of the Ficus species varied significantly (p < 0.05), ranging from 130 to 180 g/kg DM. The content of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) also varied significantly (p < 0.05), ranging from 650 to 710 g/kg DM. The organic matter (OM) contents did not differ significantly (p > 0.05), having a mean value of 916 g/kg DM. The concentrations of tannin, saponin, phytic acid and oxalic acid were low. The acceptability of the forage was similar for four of the species but poor for F. polita. The extent of DM degradation varied significant among the Ficus species, the ranking order being F. benjamina > F. thonningii > F. mucoso > F. religiosa > F. polita.

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Three sweet potato varieties (TIS-87/ 0087; TIS-8164; TIS-2532.OP.1.13) and Green panic (Panicum maximum) were evaluated for forage quality in a completely randomized design (CRD) using 12 sole-fed lactating White Fulani cows for 21 days, and 12 growing White Fulani and White Fulani x Brown Swiss calves for 77 days. Dry matter intake of cows ranged (p<0.05) between 131 g/Wkg(0.734) in TIS-87/0087 and 152 g/Wkg(0.734) in TIS-8164. Daily milk yields increased (p<0.05) in TIS-87/0087 (2%) and TIS-8164 (5%), but decreased in TIS-2532.OP.1.13 (5%) and Green panic (19%). Mean (+/-SEM) milk total solids (13.16+/-0.05 g/100 g), ash (0.78+/-0.01 g/100 g), protein (3.79+/-0.07 g/100 g), fat (3.98+/-0.06 g/100 g), and lactose (4.62+/-0.14 g/100 g) were significantly different (p<0.05) among treatments. The White Fulani x Brown Swiss calves recorded about 10, 25 and 29% higher birthweight, milk intake and bodyweight gains respectively, but about 3% lower dry matter intake than the purebred White Fulani calves. The rumen degradation rates were similar (p>0.05), while the rest rumen dry matter degradation characteristics were lowest (p< 0.05) for Green panic. Sweet potato forage could be used as sole feed or supplement for dry-season Green panic.