Evaluation of the stinging nettle (Urtica simensis) as non-conventional animal feedstuff in selected highland areas of South Wollo of Ethiopia

This study assessed the use of stinging nettle as animal feed and evaluated its biomass yield and nutritional quality in Dessie Zuria and Legambo districts, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 384 randomly selected respondents and growing niches across 8 kebeles. Findings indicated a demand for 1935 tons of dry matter (DM), while available feed resources contributed only 915.41 tons of DM, highlighting a significant feed shortage. Stinging nettle, which remains vegetative in both wet and dry seasons, was identified as a potential supplementary feed. Over 77.86% of respondents reported that ruminants consume the leaves and stems, while 13.02% noted that chickens rarely use the leaves, and equines never consume any part of the plant. Cattle preferred stinging nettle in both seasons, but small ruminants showed preference only during the dry season, and chickens showed the least preference in the wet season. Most households (83.6-89.3%) treated the plant by wilting it for 2-6 hours, while others (4.40-10.16%) dry it, and the rest (4.69-9.89%) mix it with other feeds to minimize its stinging nature. Common growing niches for stinging nettle include backyards, pastureland, and roadsides, with the first producing a higher biomass yield of 22.29 tons/ha (P<0.02) than the roadsides (14.89 tons/ha), and the pastureland yielded intermediate biomass (19.21 tons/ha). Stinging nettle from pastureland niche had higher crude protein (CP, 25.26%) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (60.90%, P<0.001). The ash (7.90%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 39.74%), and acid detergent fiber (24.16%) contents were lower for samples taken from the pastureland niche. In conclusion, stinging nettle is suitable for supplementation due to its favorable nutritional qualities. Further studies, such as animal feeding trials and investigations into anti-nutritional factors, are needed for more detailed information on the use of the stinging nettle plant as an animal feedstuff.