Nutritive value of fodder trees and shrubs and socio-economic aspects of backyard cattle raisers in Batangas [Philippines]

The following species contained the highest value: CP [crude protein], Graptophyllum pictum and Gliricidia sepium, 23.82 percent and 22.5 percent respectively; NDF [neutral detergent fiber], Hibiscus spp. had more cellulose and hemicellulose soluble to neutral detergent and cell content soluble to acid detergent, and phosphorus, 0.42 percent compared to other species. Adenathera intermedia contained the highest calcium (Ca), 2.09 percent. The tannic acid equivalent (TAE) of tree and shrub leaves ranged from 0.06-5.53 percent and 0.06-6.40 percent respectively, way below the initial level of 7 percent. Antidesma leptocladium and Cordia dichotoma contained the highest value, 5.53 percent and 5.36 percent respectively while Hibiscus spp. had the least, 0.06 percent. Considering the nutritive value and in vitro digestibilities of the identified species of trees and shrubs, G. pictum. G. sepium, Hibiscus spp., A. intermedia, and M. scandens are recommended as good sources of fodder for animals. Backyard cattle raisers had their own pattern of lopping trees and shrubs. Cutting interval differed during the dry and wet season, and utilized the seeds and cuttings as propagating materials. Aside from being a source of fodder, respondents mentioned that trees and shrubs were also used as source of food, fertilizer, fencing and building materials, shade, nurse crops, firewood, ornamental, medicine, insecticide and for soil erosion control. As to the toxicity effect, one third of the respondents did not encounter any toxicity problems while utilizing trees and shrubs fodder while the rest observed that their animal had a bloody urine when fed with large amount of Leucaena leucocephala and Cordia dichotoma. These claim may be associated with hematuria or other diseases. Based on the interview among the respondents, the socio-economic aspects revealed that raisers differed in tenurial status, age, sex, membership in organization, yearly net income, and in the incremental value added by cattle raising. The sources of financing greatly varied with the "iwi" or sharing system predominating. Most of the raisers owned the land they cultivated, derived primary income from field crops and livestock raising. The estimated yearly mean net income derived from raising 1 to 4 heads of cattle was P7,886.00 and P18,698.00 from all family enterprises. The average number of cattle raised by backyard raisers was 1 head, crossbred or "mestizo", 2.5 years old and weigh 280 kg. Most of the cattle raisers practiced the cut-and-carry system of feeding roughage and force-feeding concentrate mixture to the animals. More and more cattle raisers were able to train their animals to lick the concentrate mixture. Almost all of them practised mineral supplementation and provided their animals adequate housing. Livestock market was the most common source and outlet for feeders, breeders, and fatteners. The truck was the most common transport for the animal from the livestock market to the farm and vice-versa among raisers who were distantly far from the source. Family labor was fully utilized since the elders and children participated in raising 1-4 heads of cattle per year