title: The use of cassava leaf silage as a substitute for concentrate feed in sheep.
abstract: We aimed to evaluate nutrient intake, performance and rumen fermentation of sheep fed cassava leaf silage (CLS). Sixteen growing Java thin-tailed male sheep (body weight (BW) 20.4 ± 1.9 kg) were fed one of the following dietary treatments: T0 (100 % forage); T1 (100 % chopped forage); T2 (80 % chopped forage + 20 % concentrate); and T3 (80 % chopped forage + 20 % CLS). Nutrient intake, production performance and rumen fermentation characteristics were measured. There was no significant effect on the consumption of dry matter, whereas there was a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the consumption of crude protein, fat, crude fibre and total digestible nutrients. Concentrate or CLS at a 20 % level could increase BW and feed efficiency. No significant difference was observed in total bacteria; however, concentrate could increase total protozoa (P < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acids were higher in T2 than in T3, but ammonia concentration was higher in T3 than in T2. In conclusion, feeding 20 % cassava leaf silage greatly improved sheep performance, approaching that achieved by feeding concentrate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sudarman
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioproduction Technology, Junior College of Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan. m4hayash@nodai.ac.jp.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayashida
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia.
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Puspitaning
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jayanegara
authors.affiliation: Department of International Agricultural Development, Faculty of International Agriculture and Food Studies, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shiwachi
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005285:Fermentation; D007214:Indonesia; D008297:Male; D002365:Manihot; D018515:Plant Leaves; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D012820:Silage; D014329:Tropical Climate
keywords: Cassava leaf silage; Concentrate; Rumen fermentation characteristics; Sheep