Multipurpose tree legumes as supplement feeds for goats

Multipurpose tree species (MPTS) are good alternative to expensive concentrate feeds. These are not only highly nutritious but also very cheap ruminant feeds thus, Orden et al. (CLSU) determined the effects of selected MPTS (Leucaena, Gliricidia, Rensonii, and Desmanthus) on dry matter (DM) intake, nutrient digestibility, and growth performacne of upgraded goats from September 2003 to January 2005. Thirty upgraded goats (50 percent Anglo-Nubians : 50 percent Native) of about 3 to 4 months old with a mean body weight of about 9.47 kg were used in a 120-day feeding trial. The animals were fed with the different dietary treatments based on 3 percent of their body weight. Improved management practices were employed to ensure growth. The chemical composition of napier grass and the MPTS are presented. Animals supplemented with MPTS had higher intakes of DM, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) compared with those fed napier grass alone. Nutrient intake significantly increased with the addition of MPTS. Supplementation of Leucaena, gliricidia, rensonii and desmanthus resulted in DM intakes of 546.87 g, 442.71 g, 440.87 g, and 445.25 g, respectively, while non-supplementation of MPTS resulted in DM intakes of only 396.31 g. Animals supplemented with Leucaena, gliricidia, and desmanthus had the highest CP intake (63 g), followed by those supplemented with rensonii (59.29 g) and those without MPTS supplementation (54.47 g). NDF intakes of animals supplemented with gliricidia, rensonii, and desmanthus were 364.10 g, 290.47 g, 283.36 g, and 318.84 g, respectively, while those fed napier alone had NDF intakes of 258.23 g. Animals supplemented with leucaena had the highest CP (81.04 percent), DM (63.49 percent) and NDF (74.21 percent) digestibility compared with those supplemented with gliricidia, rensonii, and desmanthus. Leucaena supplementation resulted in better digestibility than the other three MPTS because it has more digestible fiber content. Animals fed napier grass alone had CP, DM, and NDF digestibility of 56.23 percent, 54.23 percent, and 52.42 percent, respectively. Leucaena supplementation increased (P less than 0.05) the voluntary DM intake by 38 percent, while other MPTS increased DM intake by 21 percent over that of napier alone. Animals supplemented with Leucaena had total DM intake of 3.48 g/kg W sup 0.75, while those supplemented with the other MPTS and fed napier alone had below 3 g/kg W sup 0.75. This means that the animals responded positively to the additional nitrogen and more soluble nutrient provided by MPTS. Animals supplemented with Leucaena had the highest final weight (16.25 kg) followed by those supplemented with Gliricidia (15.68 kg), desmanthus (15.50 kg), and rensonii (15.41 kg). Animals fed napier grass alone had the lowest final weight (14.41 kg). MPTS supplementation significantly increased the animals' gain in weight and average daily gain (ADG). Animals supplemented with MPTS had weight gains and ADG of 5.9-6.75 kg and 49.16-56.25 g, respectively, while those fed napier grass alone had weight gain and ADG of 4.58 kg and 38.17 g, respectively. Supplementation of either leucaena, gliricidia, rensonii, or desmanthus for growing upgraded goats resulted in net benefit of P156.46, P127.66, P46.07 and P107.86, respectively. This can be attributed to the animals' higher growth rate as a result of their higher total DMP intake. Project results provided empirical data on the feeding value of MPTS and its suitability as supplement to lesser nutritious ruminant feeds. These can be adopted anywhere in the country.