Effects of Noug Seed Cake Substitution with Cowpea Hay on Growth Performance in Arsi Bale Sheep
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Abstract
Introduction: The high cost and limited availability of traditional protein dietary supplements constrain sustainable small ruminant production in Ethiopia. Identifying domestically available, less expensive feed sources is crucial for improving cattle productivity and profitability. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing noug seed cake (NSC; Guizotia abyssinica) with graded levels of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata).
Methods and materials: The current study was conducted at Adami Tullu Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia, using 30 yearling intact male Arsi-Bale sheep with an initial body weight of 18.51 ± 0.38 kilograms. Animals were stratified by initial body weight and randomly assigned to one of five nutritional treatment groups (six animals per group) using a randomized complete block design with six blocks. Treatment groups included 100% NSC, 0% CH (T1), 75% NSC, 25% CH (T2), 50% NSC, 50% CH (T3), 25% NSC, 75% CH (T4), and T5 0% NSC, 100% CH (T5), with wheat bran held constant across all groups and Rhodes grass hay provided ad libitum as the basal roughage. Feed intake, body weight changes, carcass characteristics, and economic parameters were evaluated.
Results: Replacement of NSC with CH did not significantly affect final body weight, total weight gain, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, or most non-carcass components. Net returns increased gradually as NSC substitution with CH increased, rising from 1325.20 ETB in Group T1 to 1754.55 ETB in Group T5. Groups T2 and T3 yielded higher net returns than the control treatment.
Conclusion: Replacing NSC with CH did not significantly alter growth performance or carcass characteristics of Arsi-Bale lambs, while net returns increased progressively with increasing replacement levels. Cowpea hay may therefore serve as a locally available alternative protein feed for sheep, particularly where conventional protein supplements are costly or limited.
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