Abstract:
The inclusion of Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca
forage in the total mixed ration (TMR) as partial replacement
of lucerne (alfalfa) was evaluated for its effects
on voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility and
nitrogen balance in Saanen goats. Three experimental
diets were formulated having 0 % Seca (T1), 15 % Seca
(T2) and 30 % Seca (T3) as partial replacement of lucerne
forage in the TMR diet for goats. Eighteen Saanen
goats of about 7 months old were divided into three
groups of six animals per group. Each group was randomly
assigned to one of the three dietary treatments in
a complete randomised design, and the study lasted for
a period of 21 days. There was an increase in fibre and
mineral content of the diets as Seca inclusion increased,
but this resulted in the decrease of crude protein contents
and in vitro organic matter digestibility. Animals
that were fed 15 % Seca recorded higher voluntary dry
matter and nutrient (organic matter and fibres) intake,
but the difference was not statistically significant
(P>0.05) as compared to the other treatments. Nutrient
digestibility as well as nitrogen balance was not significantly
different across the three diets. The lack of significant differences in feed intake, nutrient digestibility
and nitrogen utilisation following the inclusion of
Seca in the TMR suggests that S. scabra forage can
partially replace lucerne in the TMR diet of goats.
