Effects of Piliostigma Reticulatum and Faidherbia Albida Pods on Growth Performance and Economic Profitability of Cattle Fattening (Published)
The present study was carried out from 1 March to 31 June in the Diamaré Department (Far North of Cameroon). It focused on the effect of P. reticulatum and F. albida pods on the growth and economic performance of cattle in fattening. The general objective was to contribute to the improvement of the productive potential of cattle through the valorisation of available and poorly known local resources in animal feed. Specifically, the aim was to determine the nutritional values of ingredients and rations formulated with P. reticulatum and F. albida pods, and to evaluate the effect of P. reticulatum and F. albida pods on the zootechnical and economic performance of cattle undergoing fattening. A total of 12 bulls divided into 4 batches of 3 subjects were fed 4 rations formulated by substituting the cottonseed cake in the control ration with 100% cottonseed cake (C100%) by 75% P. reticulatum (C25P75), then by 75% F. albida (C25F75) and finally by 100% of an equivalent mixture of P. reticulatum and F. albida (P50F50). At the end of this study, the bromatological analysis shows that cottonseed cake is richer in MAT (25.27%) and poorer in BC (13.6%), unlike cotton hulls which are rich in BC (57), NDF (61.11), ADF (53%) and ADL (38%). The pods of P. reticulatum and F. albida show intermediate values with MAT of 13.53% and 16.1% respectively. The highest amount of feed intake was recorded with the C25F75 ration (9739.06 ± 1379.26 g) and the lowest with the C100 (control) ration (7513.46 ± 136.11 g). The highest average daily gain (829.31 ± 130.68 g/d) was obtained with the C25P75 ration.) In terms of economic analysis, the net profit margins from fattening were higher with the C25P75 ration (36658.15 CFA francs) and lower with the C100 ration (11108.82 CFA francs). The same trend was observed for capital productivity, but contrary to the break-even point. However, the use of P. reticulatum and F. albida pods for bull feed represents a real source of savings for the community.
Citation: Ali, A.D., Blama Y., Ziebe, R., Bello M.B., Souley, B.I. (2023) Effects of Piliostigma Reticulatum and Faidherbia Albida Pods on Growth Performance and Economic Profitability of Cattle Fattening, International Journal of Animal and Livestock Production Research 7 (1), 1-18
Keywords: Faidherbia albida, Piliostigma reticulatum, Pods, cattle fattening, feeding trial, semi-arid zone of Cameroon.