ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on performance of Friesian x Bunaji cattle. In the first experiment twenty Friesian x Bunaji prepubertal heifers aged 14-16 months weighing 160-180kg were randomly divided into four groups and the groups were allotted four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments consisted of iso-nitrogenous concentrate mixtures in which groundnut haulms was included at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels. The heifers were fed weighed quantity of concentrate mixture ad libitum and Andropogun gayanus (gamba) hay for 112 days. Prior to the commencement of the first experiment, a digestibility trial and nitrogen balance was carried out using sixteen bulls aged 12-18 months. The result showed that the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, Neutral detergent fibre and Acid detergent fibre were significantly (P<0.05) higher in diets with 75% level of groundnut haulms. Increasing groundnut haulms level in concentrate diet up to 75% significantly (P<0.05) depressed both dry matter intake and gain of heifers. The result also showed that dry matter intake (DMI) was not significantly different (P>0.05) between heifers fed diet with 0, 25 and 50% groundnut haulms, but declined significantly (P<0.05) when groundnut haulms level reached 75%. The body weight and average daily gain of heifers fed concentrate diets containing 0 and 25% groundnut haulms were not significantly different (P>0.05); although they were higher (P<0.05) than for those in 50 and 75% groundnut levels. The result showed that rumen pH and Nitrogen were significantly(P<0.05) increased with the inclusion of groundnut haulms in concentrate diets. Feeding graded levels of groundnut haulms in concentrate diets of Friesian x Bunaji heifers significantly increased (P<0.05) serum glucose at 25 and 50% groundnut haulm. Concentrations of serum urea, creatinine
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and protein in heifers fed varying levels of groundnut haulms in concentrate diets slightly reduced, with increase in groundnut haulm levels in diet. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in Red Blood Cell (RBC) with increase in the level of groundnut haulms in diet which was higher at 75% groundnut haulms level. The percentages of animals that attained puberty over the experimental period were 0, 40, 60 and 40% for 0, 25, 50 and 75% groundnut haulm levels respectively. The cost of concentrate diet both in Naira and in Naira per kilogram were reduced with increase in groundnut haulm levels in concentrate diet with Net benefit remaining positive across the treatments. In the second experiment, the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing varying levels of groundnut haulms on milk yield, milk compositions and cost- benefit analysis were examined. The animals were made of twenty Friesian x Bunaji cows at their first lactation periods. They were divided into four groups of five animals each, consisting of three postpartum and two prepartum each; and were randomly assigned to one each of the experimental diets in a completely randomized design. Results also show that there was significant difference (P<0.05) in dry matter intake (DMI) metabolic body weight, weight gain and average milk yield of lactating cows fed varying levels of groundnut haulms. At 25 and 75% levels of groundnut haulms in concentrate diets ADG were similar (P>0.05) but significantly (P<0.05) higher than their counterparts at 0 and 50% groundnut haulms levels. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the total milk yield with those at 0% recording 557.9 litres, which were similar to cows fed 50% (538.8L) groundnut haulms in concentrate diets, but were however, significantly (P<0.05) higher than those at 25 (337.1L) and 75% (346.4L) groundnut haulms. Milk fat, lactose, Total solid and solid-not-fat differed significantly (P<0.05). Milk fat and Total solid decreased linearly with increase in groundnut haulms in concentrates diets of cows. Cost benefit analysis indicated that cows fed 50% groundnut
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haulms had better net benefit. It is concluded that, inclusion of groundnut haulms up to 50% in concentrate diet can improve reproductive performance of heifers, milk production and profit margins of lactating crossbred cows.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page: – – – — – – – – – ii
Declaration: – – – – – – – — – iii
Certification: – – – – – – – — – iv
Dedication: – – – – – – – — – v
Acknowledgement: – – – – – – — – vi
Abstract: – – – – – – – — – viii
Table of contents: – – – – – – — – xi
List of table: – – – – – – – — – xx
List of figures: – – – – – – – – — xxii
List of appendices: – – – – – – – — xxiii
Abbreviations – – – – – – – — xxiv
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction: – – – – – – – – 1
1.2 Objectives of study: – – – – – – – 3
1.2 Statement of Research hypothesis – – – – – 4
CHAPTER TWO
1.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Dairy cattle production in the tropics: – – – – 7
2.2. Dairy cattle production systems: – – – – – 9
2.2.1. Traditional system: – – – – – – 9
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2.2.1.1 Scavenging – – – – – – – 9
2.2.1.2 Cut and carry – – – – – – – 10
2.2.1.3 Compound Dairying – – – – – – 10
2.2.2 Nomadic/Pastoral system: – – – – – 11
2.2.2.1 Exclusive pastoralists – – – – – – 11 2.2.2.2 Transhumant pastoralists – – – – – 12
2.2.2.3 Agro-pastoralists – – – – – – 13
2.2.3. Mixed farming system:- – – – – 13
2.2.4 Peri- urban and modern ruminant production:- – – 14
2.3 Constraints to dairy cattle production in Nigeria – – – 15
2.3.1 Low genetic potential of indigenous cattle for milk production: 15
2.3.2 Inadequate and low quality feed resources:- – – – 16
2.3.3 Incidence of diseases and parasites: – – – – 19
2.4 Cattle feed resources in the tropics: – – – – 21
2.4.1 Range forages and browse plants: – – – – 21
2.4.2 Legume and browse plants – – – – – 25
2.4.3 Crop residues: – – – – – – – 26
2.4.3.1 Quality of crop residues – – – – 28
2.4.4 Agro-industrial by- products:- – – – – 29
2.5 Role of feed supplementation in cattle production: – – 30
2.5.1 Energy supplements: – – – – – 30
2.5.1 Sources of energy for cattle supplementation – – – 31
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2.5.1.1 Cereal grains: – – – – – – – 31
2.5.1.2 Sugar processing by-products:- – – – – 33
2.5.1.3 By-products from root crops and fruit cannery by- products- 33
2.5.1.4 By-products used as energy and protein supplement
flour milling by-products brewery by-product: – – 34
2.5.2 Response of dairy cattle to energy supplementation: – – 34
2.5.3 Energy intake for milk production and postpartum weight gain 36
2.6 Protein supplements: – – – – – – 37
2.6.1 Oil seed cakes:- – – – – – – 37
2.6.2 Animal waste from slaughter houses – – – – 38
2.6.3 Legume forages:- – – – – – – 38
2.6.4 Limitations of forage legumes as supplement – – 39
2.6.5 Nitrogen from NPN sources – – – – – 40
2.7 Significance of energy-protein ratio in ruminant nutrition – 43
2.8 Effect of protein supplementation on reproduction
in dairy cattle:– – – – – – – – 44
2.9 Effect of protein supplementation on lactation performance:- – 46
2.10 Effect of supplementation on milk composition – – – 47
2.11 Mineral and vitamin supplements: – – – – – 50
2.12 Use of groundnut haulms as dietary supplements:- – – 53
2.12.1 Groundnut production in Nigeria : – – – – 54
2.12.2 Groundnut seed production in Nigeria- – – – 55
2.12.3 Forage production of groundnut in Nigeria- – – – 55
2.12.4 Nutritive value of groundnut haulms: – – – – 56
2.12.5 Responses of cattle to groundnut haulms
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supplementation. – – – – – – – 57
2.12.5.1 Effect of groundnut haulm supplementation
on feed intake – – – – – – – 57
2.12.5.2 Effect of feeding groundnut haulms on feed digestibility – 58
2.12.5.3 Effect of feeding groundnut haulms on growth – – – 59
2.12.5.4 Effect of feeding ground nut haulms on milk production – 60
2.13 Pubertal development – – – – – 61
2.13.1 Genetic factors affecting puberty of cattle – – – 61
2.13.2 Effect of nutrition on onset of puberty in heifers – – 63
2.14 Lactation performance of dairy cattle – – – – 65
2.14.1 Effect of age and parity on lactation – – – – 65
2.14.2 Role of body mass and season on lactation – – – 66
2.14.3 Effect of supplementation on lactation length – – – – 67
2.14.4 Effect of legume forage supplementation on serum
progesterone concentration in prepubertal heifers – – – – 68
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CHAPTER THREE
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Location: – – – – – – – – 70
3.2.0 Experiment One: Effects of graded levels of groundnut haulms
in Concentrate supplements on growth and reproductive
performance of Friesian X Bunaji growing heifers – – 70
3.2.1 Animals: – – – – – – – 70
3.2.1.1 Animal management – – – – – – 70
3.2.2 Experimental feeds: – – – – – 71
3.2.2.1 Source of feeds – – – – – – 71
3.2.3 Treatments and Experimental Design – – – – 71
3.2.4 Digestibility trial – – – – – – 74
3.2.5 Data Collection – – – – – – 75
3.2.5.1 Records of feeds and live body changes – – – 75
3.2.5.2 Feed samples – – – – – – 75
3.2.5.3 Rumen liquor sample collection: – – – – 75
3.2.5.4 Blood sample collection: – – – – – 76
3.2.5.5 Blood sampling for progesterone: — – – – 76
3.2.5.5.1 Radio immunoassay: – – – – – 76
3.2.6 Cost benefit Analysis – – – – – – 77
3.2.7 Laboratory Analysis – – – – – – 77
3.3 0 Experiment Two: effect of varying the levels of groundnut
haulms in concentrate supplement on feed intake, milk yield
and cost of milk production in Friesian X Bunaji cows: – 77
3.3.1 Animals – – – – – – – 77
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3.3.1.1 Animal management – – – – – – 78 3.3.2 Experiment feeds – – – – – – 78 3.3.2.1 Source of feeds – – – – – – 78 3.3.3 Treatments and Experimental Design – – – – 78 3.3.4 Cost benefit analysis – – – – – – 78
3.3.5 Data collection – – – – – – 75 3.3.5.1 Records of feeds and live body changes – – – 75
3.3.5.2 Sample collection and laboratory analysis:- – – – 75
3.4.0 Statistical analysis: – – – – – – 76
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CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS
4.1. Experiment one: effect of feeding concentrate diets containing
graded levels of groundnut haulms on growth and reproductive
performance of Friesian x Bunaji heifers – – – 83
4.1.1 Chemical composition of experimental diets 1 – 83
4.1.2 Nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance – – – 85
4.1.3 Dry matter intake (DMI) and body weight changes – – 88
4.1.4 Cost – benefit analysis – – – – – – 90
4.1.5 Effects of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels
of groundnut haulms on rumen metabolites – – – 92
4.1.6 Effects of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels
of groundnut haulms on serum metabolites – – – 101
4.1.7 Haematological changes – – – – – 110
4.1.8. Effects of feeding Friesian x Bunaji heifers concentrate diets with
graded levels on groundnut haulms on onset of puberty – 112
4.2. Experiment two: Effect of feeding concentrate diets containing
grade levels of groundnut haulms on lactation performance
of Friesian x Bunaji cows – – – – – – 116
4.2.1 Chemical composition of diets- – – – – 116
4.2.2 Dry matter intake and weight changes – – – – 118
4.2.3 Milk yield – – – – – – – – 118
4.2.4 Milk composition – – – – – – – 121
4.2.5 Cost- benefit – – – – – – 123
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CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 DISCUSSIONS
5.1 Experiment one: effect of feeding concentrate diet containing
graded levels of ground haulms on feed intake, growth and
reproductive performance of Friesian x Bunaji heifers – – 125
5.1.1 Chemical composition – – – – – 125
5.1.2 Nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance – – – 126
5.1.3 Dry matter intake and weight changes – – – 128
5.1.4 Feed to gain ratio – – – – – – 130
5.1.5 Cost benefit analysis – – – – – – 130
5.1.7 Effects of varying levels of groundnut
on rumen metabolite – – – – – 137
5.1.8 Effects of feeding concentrate diets containing graded
levels of groundnut haulms on serum metabolites – – 133
5.1.9 Haematological changes – – – – – 135
5.1.10 Serum Progesterone- – – – – – 136
5.2 Experiment Two: Effect of feeding concentrate diets containing
graded levels of groundnut haulms on feed intake, milk yield
and cost of milk production in Friesian x Bunaji cows – – 138
5.1.1 Chemical Composition – – – – – 138
5.2.2 Dry Matter Intake (DMI) – – – – – 138
5.2.3 Weight Gains – – – – – – – 139
5.2.4 Milk Production – – – – – – 140
5.2.5 Milk Composition – – – – – – 141
5.2.6 Cost- Benefit Analysis – – – – – 143
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CHAPTER SIX
6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Conclusion – – – – – – – 145
6.2 Recommendations – – – – – – – 146
References – – – – – – – – 147
APPENDICES: – – – – – – – 176
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Livestock play a significant role in Nigeriaits agriculture, contributing about 12.7% of the total agricultural Gross Domestic Products (GDP). According to Cental Bank of Nigeria (1999), cattle are found throughout Nigeria, but are most common in the northern two-thirds of the country, with almost half of the total cattle population permanently resident in the sub humid zone. Cattle in Nigeria are numerous and provide substantial quantities of animal protein in the form of meat and milk, in addition to role they play in influencing the ecosystem. Their production is based on an age-old husbandry system which needs to be gradually upgraded in order to meet the needs of ever increasing human populace.
The unorganised dairy industry in Nigeria, still represents an important component of the animal subsector of the economy
with great economic, nutritional and social implication. It provides a means of livelihood for a significant proportion of rural pastoral farmers. Food and Agriculture Organisation (1988) reported that 183 thousand rural households derived income from the dairy industry in 1986; with 96% of all cattle in Nigeria in the hands of the pastoral Fulanis, who are the most important suppliers of domestic milk. Although, a few private commercial and experimental dairy farms exist as organised dairy farms, they produce an insignificant proportion of the domestic milk (Yahuza, 2001).
Dairy cattle consume a lot of feed to remain productive, most especially during growth and early part of lactation. However, the marked seasonal fluctuations in feed supply and pasture quality experienced by dairy cattle in the tropics result in a seasonal
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pattern of milk yield and other performances such as liveweight and reproduction. Cereal crop residues such as sorghum, maize and millet stovers and rice straws are produced in large quantities annually and are often used as a low cost forage option for ruminant nutrition in Nigeria. However, these cereal crop residues are low in crude protein, readily fermentable energy, essential minerals and are high in lignocellulosic compounds (Ehoche et al.,2002). Protein is usually the first limiting nutrient for cattle fed low-quality forages and is required by rumen microbes to digest fibre and other components necessary for growth and replacement of broken down body tissues. Low nitrogen intake makes energy utilization less efficient and consequently protein catabolism often occur internally to meet energy requirements. Under these conditions, the animals may well be more susceptible to infections or parasitic diseases, insufficient dietary protein as well as metabolic intake and productive disorders, lower body condition scores, higher feed costs, reduced conception rates, weak calves, lighter calves, poor health and reduced milking ability (Duguma et al., 2012).
Supplementation to provide essential nutrients has been found to be the most feasible, economic and preferred method of improving the utilization of poor quality forage materials by ruminant animals in the tropics (Preston and Leng, 1984; Poppi and McLennan, 1995). A practical approach to supplementing low quality forages is to correct the nitrogen and mineral deficiency for the rumen microbes (Preston and Leng, 1984). This may be achieved through supplemention with urea-molasses mineral block or poultry litter. For high production, it is necessary to supplement with high quality proteins such as oil seed cakes, cereal grains and cereal brans. However, these supplements are often not used by the smallholder farmers as they are constrained by scarcity and high cost.
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In recent years, the use of forage legumes in livestock production systems for ruminants in the tropics as alternative to oil seed cakes has increased. Forage legumes and fodder trees provide high quality proteins as well as digestible cell wall carbohydrates. There is therefore, the need to explore these alternative sources of protein for cattle production.
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is an important legume crop grown for seed and forage in smallholder crop livestock farming systems in the sub humid zone of West Africa (Oloranju et al., 1996). The seed is a major source of oil for humans and the cake after oil extraction is a good source of protein supplement for livestock. The forage (haulms) after pod harvesting is commonly fed to ruminants, especially in the dry season.
Nigeria is the leading producer of groundnut in Africa, with total output estimated to be 1,976,490.00 tons (RMRDC, 2004). Thus, vast quantities of groundnut haulms are available annually for feeding livestock in the country. In spite of the potential of groundnut haulms as a major feed resource for livestock, information on its utilization by dairy cattle is very scanty. The availability of groundnut hay among arable farmers who keep small livestock and the variation in results obtained from ruminants fed groundnut haulms underscore the need for more studies on how best its potential as animal feed can be exploited.
1.1 Objectives of the study:
1. To investigate the nutritive values of groundnut haulms, gamba hay and concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms.
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2. To determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on dry matter intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance of Friesian x Bunaji Bulls
3. To determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on growth and reproductive performance of Friesian x Bunaji heifers.
4. To determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on rumen and serum of Friesian x Bunaji heifers.
5. To determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets on blood chemistry of Friesian x Bunaji heifers
6. To investigate the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on performance of lactating Friesian x Bunaji cow.
1.2 Statement of Research hypotheses
This study was carried out on the basis of the following hypotheses:
Null hypothesis 1:
Inclusion of groundnut haulms in concentrate diets of Friesian x Bunaji cattle can not significantly affect their chemical composition
Alternative Hypothesis 1:
Inclusion of groundnut haulms in concentrate diets of Friesian x Bunaji cattle can significantly affect their chemical composition
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Null hypothesis 2:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms does not have any significant effect dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance
Alternative hypothesis 2:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms have any significant effect dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance
Null hypothesis 3:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms does not have any significant effect on growth and reproductive performanceof Friesian x Bunaji heifers.
Alternative hypothesis 3:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms have significant effect on growth and reproductive status of Friesian x Bunaji heifers.
Null hypothesis 4:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms does not have significant effect on rumen metabolites of Friesian x Bunaji heifers
Alternative hypothesis 4:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms have significant effect on rumen metabolites of Friesian x Bunaji heifers
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Null hypothesis 5:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms have no significant effect on blood chemistry of Friesian x Bunaji heifers
Alternative hypothesis 5:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms have significant effect on blood chemistry of Friesian x Bunaji heifers
Null hypothesis 6:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms has no significant effect on performance of lactating Friesian x Bunaji cow.
Alternative hypothesis 6:
Feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms has significant effect on performance of lactating Friesian x Bunaji cow.
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