Intake and relative palatability indices of acacia species fed to sheep and goats |
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| Authors: | H K Mokoboki L R Ndlovu M M Malatje |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Animal Science, North West University, Private Bag X 2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa;(2) National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe;(3) University of Limpopo, Private Bag x 1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | An experiment was conducted to determine preference intake and relative palatability indices of Acacia karroo, Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis, Acacia sieberiana and Acacia rhemniana in sheep and goats using a completely randomized design. The size of Experimental Farm from which the browses were harvested
was 1842.75 ha. The leaf samples were randomly collected from various young trees. The samples were analysed for proximate
composition, measured for intake and relative palatability indices of sheep and goats. Dry matter (DM) content ranged from
917.4 to 936.8 g/kg DM and organic matter from 822.9 to 892.2 g/kg DM. All acacia species contained crude protein content
(CP) of more than 7–17% required for grazing animals. The content of neutral detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent fibre
ranged from 372.8 to 658.1 and 150.0 to 464.6 g/kg DM, respectively and were significantly (P < 0.05) different among the species. All of the acacia species had low levels (0–5.57 g/kg DM) of condensed tannins. The
intakes of all feeds except A. karroo and A. rhemniana were high in both sheep and goats. The leaves from A. sieberiana had the highest palatability indice (Pi) while those of A.
rhemniana had the lowest Pi in both sheep and goats. It was concluded that there was an effect of acacia species on intake and relative
palatability indices. Species A. sieberiana, A. nilotica and A. tortilis have potential as livestock fodder, based on moderate to high CP value, low ADF, low tannins, high intake and relative palatability
indices. |
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