QUALITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF CASSAVA PEEL and GLIRICIDIA SEPIUM PELLETS FED TO SOKOTO GUDALI CATTLE

Abstract

Cattle production plays a critical role in meeting the global demand for animal protein, however the challenge of inadequate nutrition to meet the energy-protein requirement of cattle especially during the dry season has limited their productivity. In Nigeria, Cassava and Gliricidia are valuable feed resources that can serve as an alternative feed ingredient which are abundant, affordable but this is dependent on methods of processing and preservation. This study evaluated the quality and acceptability of Cassava-Gliricidia pellets as a feed alternative for Sokoto Gudali cows. Three treatments (Treatment 1=75% CP: 25% GL, Treatment 2=50% CP:

50% GL, Treatment 3=25% CP: 75% GL) were adopted for the pellet feed production. Nine Sokoto Gudali cattle were used for the acceptability study using cafeteria method which lasted for 30minutes daily for seven days. The crude protein content of the pellets ranged from 10.11 to 12.02%. Physical quality was measured in

term of durability. Pellet preference considered in terms of intake rate showed that cows exhibited a high preference for the Cassava-Gliricidia pellets in T1 to other pellets used in this study. The pellets also reduced feed wastage and enhanced overall feed conversion efficiency. This study suggest that Cassava-Gliricidia pellets

may be a viable and nutritionally balanced feed option for cattle.