Identification of nutritional status, emphasizing minerals, in northwestern Zaire
Songonzoni, M.G. | McDowell, L.R. | Wilkinson, N.S. | Harrison, J.
A study was conducted in northwestern Zaire during the beginning of the dry season (December 1994) at a specific ranch to determine the crude protein (CP), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and mineral content of the principal pasture forages. This region is located in Zaire at 4 degrees 36'N latitude and 20 degrees 28'E longitude. Average rainfall is 1695 mm a year and mean monthly temperature is 25.5 degrees C. Soils are red lateritic clays. Thirty forage samples were collected at 2-, 3-, and 4-week regrowths of Imperata cylindrica and Savanna Stylosanthes (excluding 2-week age) from low and high elevation grazing areas. Eighteen soil samples and a mineral supplement fed to cattle (primarily N'dama breeding) were collected for analysis. There were decreases (P<0.05) in IVOMD as plants matured and deficiencies of protein, sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) at 4 weeks of regrowth. The mineral mixture fed to cattle provided less than 1% of the requirements for the deficient minerals. This study suggests the need for provision of a suitable free-choice mineral supplement.
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