Chemical Composition and In Situ Digestibility of Common Feed Resources for Ruminants in Marginal Uplands

Abstract

This study assessed the chemical composition and degradation of in situ predominant feed resources for ruminants in the marginal uplands of Inopacan,Leyte, Philippines. These feed resources included basal grasses such as guinea (Panicum maximum), humidicola (Brachiaria humidicola), and carabao grass (Axonopus compressus); supplemental legumes such as calopo (Calopogonium muconoides), madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) and centro (Centrocema pubescens); foliages of trees/shrubs such as jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophylum Lamk) and abgaw (Premna odorata); and concentrates such as rice bran (D2) and squeezed grated coconut. Chemical analyses followed standard procedures, while trial was done by in situ incubating the feed samples in rumen-cannulated steer fed 70% basal/grass and 30% of the supplements. Crude protein (CP) contents were 15.83 to 18.23% in legumes,10.17 to 11.91% in tree foliages, 5.16 to 8.51% in grasses, and 4.84 to 6.08% in concentrates on as-fed basis. Gross energy (GE) contents were high–5097kcal/kg in grated coconut (highest) and 2931 kcal/kg in humidicola grass (lowest). Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents were low, ranging from 0.004 to 0.189% Ca and 0.026 to 0.037% P. Considering animal requirements, these indicated a potential adequacy in GE supply but a limitation in protein and Ca and P in marginal uplands. Dry matter degradation (DMD) was high in grated coconut, abgaw, calopo and madre de cacao (77.86 to 86.51%) among the supplements and in carabao grass (71.11%) of the basal, and low in humidicola and rice bran D2 (46.52 to 47.51%). Crude protein degradation (CPD) was highest in abgaw, calopo, madre de cacao, jackfruit and grated coconut (86.87 to 90.97%), moderate in guinea and carabao grasses and rice bran D2 (61.28 to 64.01%), and low in centro and humidicola (57.46 to 59.63%). Quantitatively, and across chemical composition and in situ degradation, the feeding of humidicola grass, centro legume, and rice bran D2 is least recommended.

Species of forages utilized by farmers producing halal goats in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines

“…It can also maintain green leaf and remain productive throughout a long dry season (Dubeux et al 2017). On the other hand, Bestil et al (2014) stated that P. conjugatum have greater potential as ruminant feed. However, the quantity of forage that can be obtained from the species and its versatility to grow in marginal areas are its limitation when utilized as forage.…”

“…C. pubescens trailing-climbing forage crop with crude protein content ranges from 20 to 26% usually intercropped with grasses, small tree legumes and shrubs. In the upland areas of Leyte (Philippines), A. heterophyllus leaves are commonly fed in goats and has the potential to be a supplemental foliage based on in-situ degradation since it may provide greater by-pass nutrients for utilization at the intestinal level (Bestil et al 2014).…”