1. Introduction
In Ethiopia sheep is among the major livestock kept across different agro-ecological zones and its population is estimated to be 39.9 million [1]. Among these, about 25% - 27% of sheep are found in the lowlands which are arid and semi-arid areas and about 73% to 75% are located in the mid and highland areas of the country [2]. The common feature of all production systems used in Ethiopia is mainly the extensive type characterized by small flock sizes and the flock being periodically devastated by poor management. Sheep are playing an important economic role in Ethiopia in the form of meat, milk, skin, hair, horns, manure and religious rituals [3]. Sheep are valuable assets to the local community to whom the small stock is an integral part of the family unit and an emergency source of income [4]. Moreover, in Ethiopia, sheep are the second most important livestock species next to cattle and play an important economic role and make a significant contribution to both domestic and export markets through the provision of food (meat and milk) and non-food (manure, skin and wool) products [5].
Despite the significant contribution to the household and national economy, their productivity is below the expectations as compared to their numbers. Moreover, slow growth rate, high mortality, feed shortage and low productivity are some of challenges of smallholder sheep production in the country. The feed shortage in terms of amount and quality is considered to be the main challenge to increase livestock productivity [6], mainly due to the gradual shrinking of communal pasturelands as a consequence of crop field’s expansion [7].
The demand for meat by the increasing human population in Ethiopia may not be easily satisfied and the current high price for the product cannot be maintained with the low level of per capita income [4]. Therefore, development policies in the livestock sector have to look for mechanisms to balance the demand and supply of meat by improving the productivity of animals. In this regard, sheep by virtue of their small size provide an opportunity to increase meat production, because of their ability to thrive on locally available and low quality and quantity feeds as well as for possessing high reproductive performance.
Extensive sheep production under traditional communal grazing or browsing system is widely practiced in Ethiopia. Natural pastures contribute the major feed resources providing either more than 90% of the livestock feed in the form of grazing or forage conserved in the form of hay for dry season use. Nevertheless, in Assosa zone, like other parts of the country, pasture grazing is limited by high presence of biting fly and some grazing areas were reserved for natural resource conservation by Benishangul regional government [8]. Although, natural pasture is the main source of feed during all seasons and sheep are supplemented with crop residue during the critical dry season, the natural pastures are markedly declined their nutritional value during the dry season. Similarly, [9] reported that residues from cereal crops are of low nutritive value and are also less consumable.
On the other hand, consumption of low-quality roughages such as straw and poor grass hay can be increased markedly by the addition of protein supplements. Ruminant livestock production is hindered by inadequacy and low quality of feed [10] as well as high level of productivity cannot be obtained since the tropical grasses which are usually given to these livestock are low or deficient in protein [11]. It has however been reported that, when these tropical grasses are supplemented with concentrates, their intake and digestibility are improved [10]. In fact, smallholder livestock farmers rarely adopt such strategies because these farmers consider concentrates as scarce and expensive to use. In order to mitigate the problems associated with the lack of protein supplement, use of crop by-products such as Haulms of higher protein value, straw as animal feed are very important to improve the feed resource base and the use of animal manure as fertilizer is are inputs obtained from animals to increase crop production and productivity.
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and maize are among the food/feed crops widely cultivated in the lowland areas of Ethiopia for various uses including raw materials for oil production, cash income, animal feed, increases soil fertility, serve as good intercrop [12] [13] [14]. Previous sheep fattening experiments conducted by [15] revealed that maize bran is consumed reasonably well by sheep and other classes of livestock. It is relatively cheaper than whole grain and encounters almost no competition for consumption by man. Groundnut haulm served as source of protein for the feed of small ruminant. Groundnut haulms are also having higher value as a feed source for livestock during the long dry season. Concentrate feed sources especially grains and most by-products are expensive and not readily available to farmers. Therefore, it is essential to develop a feeding technology transferable to smallholder farmers by using the local available feeds such as groundnut haulms and maize bran, to improve the livestock productivity and livelihood of smallholder farmers.
In view of the high cost and less availability of sheep feedstuffs in general and pulse grains and agro-industrial by-products that can serve as a protein supplement in particular, cheap and alternative feed ingredients need to be identified and evaluated. Therefore, it is necessary to look for alternative feedstuffs, which are an easily accessible, cheap, safe and nutritionally adequate substitute for conventional feedstuffs. However, information on the feeding value of groundnut haulms and maize bran in the diets of sheep in Assosa area is lacking. Thus, this study was designed to assess the effect of inclusion of groundnut haulms and maize bran mixtures supplementation in different proportions as an alternative feed ingredient on the performance of local sheep with the following specific objectives.
➢ To evaluate the effect of groundnut haulms, maize bran and their mixture on feed intake, digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of local sheep fed natural pasture hay-based diet.
➢ To determine the economic profitability of groundnut haulms, maize bran and their mixture supplementation by employing partial budget analysis.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Description of the Study Area
First, confirm that you have the correct template for your paper size. This template has been tailored for output on the custom paper size (21 cm * 28.5 cm). The experiment was conducted at Salga sheep farm in Assosa district, in the Assosa zone of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia. It is located 673 km away from capital, Addis Ababa and 12 km far from the Assosa town. Salga sheep farm is located between 10˚05'09.02''N latitude and 34˚62'33.58''E longitude. Receives an average rainfall of 950 - 1000 mm annually and the average annual temperature is 30˚C with the hottest season [16]. It is characterized by diverse topography with altitude range of 580 - 1544 m.a.s.l. [17].
2.2. Experimental Feed Preparation
Hay from natural pasture was used as a basal diet. The groundnut haulms were obtained from local farmers after harvesting the grain. Groundnut haulms and maize bran were bought from the community and local market. The natural pasture hay was chopped manually to the size of 3 - 10 cm so as to improve intake by experimental sheep. Finally, the collected feed was properly dried and then stored in well-ventilated shade until the commencement of the feeding trial.
2.3. Experimental Design and Dietary Treatments
The feed ingredient used for experimental animals is presented in Table 1. The experiment was arranged using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments and 6 replications (blocks). Each animal within a block was randomly assigned to one of the four treatment diets. Each animal was offered 300 gm DM/day of concentrate mix.
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Table 1. The feed ingredients used for experimental animals.
2.4. Experimental Animals and Their Management
Twenty-four yearlings’ male Local sheep with milk teeth weighed 20.12 ± 0.05 kg were subjected to the experiment. The animals were ear tagged for identification purpose and all animals were drenched with broad spectrum anti-helminthes (Albendazole 300 mg) prior to the commencement of the experiment. Accordingly, sprayed with Amitraz 12.50% at Dose of 1.6 ml per 1 Liter of water against internal and external parasite and vaccinated for common diseases of the area (Peste Des Petits Ruminants PPR) prior to the commencement of the experiment.
Basal diet was offered ad libitum at a rate of 20% refusal. Groundnut haulms and maize bran was weighed and offered two times a day. The supplement feed was provided to individual sheep twice a day at equal portions at 8:00 am and 16:00 pm. Water was available ad libitum to the animals throughout the experimental period. Feeding was continued for the 90 days of recommended standard fattening time.
2.5. Sampling and Measurements
2.5.1. Digestibility and Feeding Trials
The digestibility trial comprised three days for animals to acclimatize to fecal collecting bags followed by a seven-day feces collection period. Feces were collected every morning for each animal before giving feed or water. Feed offered and refusals were recorded daily throughout the experimental period to determine daily feed intake.
The apparent digestibility of DM and nutrients was calculated as the difference between nutrients intake and that recovered in feces expressed as a proportion of nutrients intake. The energy value of the treatment feeds was also estimated according to [18] as metabolizable energy (MJ/kg DM = 0.016*DOMD); where MJ = Metabolizable energy; DOMD = being gram digestible OM intake per kilogram DM. The feeding trial lasts for about 90 days. During this period, feed offered and refused were recorded daily to determine daily feed intake. Thus, DFI of individual sheep was calculated as the difference between the amounts of feed offered and refused (DFI = FO − RF); where DFI = daily feed intake, FO = offered and RF = refused feed.
2.5.2. Sampling
Feces were collected daily from each sheep during the digestibility period. The collected feces were weighed, mixed thoroughly and 20% was pooled and stored in a deep freezer at −20˚C as weekly composite. At the end of the digestibility trial, the composite dried feces of individual animal were thoroughly mixed and sufficient amount of sample for chemical analysis were taken. The partially dried samples were transported to Haramaya University Animal Nutritional Laboratory for analysis. The partially dried samples of feeds and feces were ground using laboratory mill to pass through a 1-mm sieve screen size.
During the feeding trial, feed sample from each feed was taken to determine the nutritive value of each feed. Samples of the hay, groundnut haulms and maize bran offered were taken weekly after thorough mixing and composited for laboratory analysis. Samples of feed offered were taken from batches of feeds and refusals was collected from each animal daily across the experimental period and finally pooled for each treatment and sub-sampled for chemical analysis.
2.5.3. Body Weight Changes
Initial body weight of the local sheep was measured at the beginning of the experiment and there after it was taken weekly using the spring weighing balance after overnight fasting, which was done in the morning before the provision of feed and water. The BWC was calculated as the difference between final body weight and initial body weight (BWC = FBW − IBW); where, BWC: Body weight change (kg); FBW = final body weight and IBW = initial body weight; ADG was calculated as the difference between the initial live weight and final live weight divided by number of experimental days (ADG = IBW − FBW/number of experimental days); where, ADG = average daily gain (g/day); IBW = initial body weight and FBW = final body weight); while FCE was calculates as the ratio between average daily gain (g/day) to daily dry matter intake (g). (FCE = ADG/DDMI); where, FCE = feed conversion efficiency = ADG average daily gain and Daily Dry Matter Intake = DDMI.
2.6. Carcass Parameters
At the end of the feeding trial, all sheep used for experiment were fasted overnight, weighed and slaughtered to determine the effects of treatment feeds on carcass parameters. Immediately before slaughter, slaughter body weight was taken. The animals were killed by severing the jugular vein and the carotid artery with a knife. Blood was collected, weighed and recorded. Skin was properly flayed and weighed. Empty body weight was calculated as the difference between slaughter weight and gut content. The hot carcass weight was estimated after removing weight of the head, thorax, abdominal and pelvic cavity contents as well as legs below the hock and knee joints.
The edible offal components (EOC) namely, blood, liver, kidney, heart, tongue, reticulorumen, omasum-abomasums, small and large intestine, testicles, tail and fats (kidney, heart, omental, scrotal and pelvic) were weighed and recorded individually. Total edible offal components (TEOC) were calculated as the total sum of the edible offal components. The non-edible offal components (NEOC), namely, head (without tongue), skin, lung plus trachea, pancreas, spleen, bladder, gall bladder, gut fill, genital organ and feet with hooves were weighed and recorded. Total non-edible offal components (TNEOC) were calculated as the total sum of the non-edible offal components.
The main carcass component was split down at the vertebral column having the two sides as symmetrically as possible and the right parts were stored in a deep freeze over night for properly partitioning the carcass in to bone, muscle and fat. The frozen carcass (right part) was divided in to five main primal cuts carcass components namely: leg, loin, rack, breast and shank and shoulder and neck. The carcass was cut perpendicular to the back bone between the 12th and 13th ribs to measure the cross-sectional area of the rib-eye (longissimus dorsi) muscle area [19]. The rib eye area were traced first on transparency paper then on a graph paper and the area was calculated by counting the squares on graph paper and multiplying with their area after the rib eye area was transferred to graph paper. The five main primal cut carcass components were partitioned to bone, muscle and fat and each part was weighted and recorded. The dressing percentage was calculated as the proportion of hot carcass weight to slaughter and empty body weight.
2.7. Chemical Analysis
All representative samples of the daily feed offer and refusals during the feeding and digestibility trial and partially dried fecal samples were ground to pass through 1 mm screen for the chemical analysis of DM and ash following the procedures of AOAC [20]. The CP was determined by N*6.25 and OM was estimated by subtracting ash from 100. The NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents for offered and refused feeds and feces samples and Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) for offered feed samples were analyzed following the procedures of Van Soest and Robertson [21].
2.8. Partial Budget Analysis
Partial budget analysis was performed to evaluate the economic advantage of the different treatments by using the procedure of Upton [22]. The partial budget analysis involved the calculation of variable costs and benefits. The selling price of local sheep in each treatment before and after the experiment was considered as total return in the analysis. For the calculation of the variable costs, the expenditures incurred on various feedstuffs were taken into consideration. The cost of the feeds was computed by multiplying the actual feed intake for the whole feeding period with the prevailing market price. The prevailing price of the feeds at the time of feed purchasing including the transportation cost incurred to move them to the experimental site were recorded.
Partial budget method measures profit or loss, which is the difference between gains and expenses for the proposed change and includes calculating net return (NR), i.e., the amount of money left when total variable costs (TVC) are subtracted from the total returns (TR):
Total variable costs included the costs of all inputs that changed due to the change in production technology. The change in net return (ΔNR) was calculated by the difference between the change in total return (ΔTR) and the change in total variable cost (ΔTVC), which is to be used as a reference criterion for decision on the adoption of a new technology.
The marginal rate of return (MRR) measures the increase in net income (ΔNR) associated with each additional unit of expenditure (ΔTVC). This is expressed in percentage as:
2.9. Statistical Analysis
The recorded data obtained from feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, DM and nutrient digestibility, carcasse chacteristics were performed with SAS software version 9.4 using the general linear model (GLM) procedure for variance analysis (ANOVA). When F-test declares significant difference, treatment means were compared using Turkey’s standard range (HSD) test. The analyzed data was presented using tables. The statistical model for the data analysis was:
,
where: Yij = response variable (Feed intake, Feed conversion efficiency, DM and nutrient digestibility, carcasse chacteristics);
μ = overall mean;
τi = ith treatment (test diets) effect;
βj = jth block effect;
εij = random error.
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Chemical Composition of Experimental Feeds
The result of the current study indicated that maize bran was lower CP, NDF and ADF content than both natural grass hay and groundnut haulms feeds Table 2. However, groundnut haulms was higher in content than the other supplemental diets. In this study the result of chemical analysis showed that GNH + MB contained relatively higher CP and ADL but it had relatively lower OM than others. On the other hand the natural grass hay refusals in all treatments had lower CP and higher NDF, ADF and ADL as compared to the natural grass hay offered.
The results of this study indicated that the CP content of groundnut was higher. This implies that this oil crop straw could serve as a good source of
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Table 2. Chemical composition of feeds and refusals during the experiment.
ADF = Acid detergent fiber; ADL = Acid detergent lignin; CP = Crude protein; DM = Dry matter; NDF = Neutral detergent fiber; GNH = Groundnut haulms; MB = Maize bran; T1 = 0; T2 = 100% MB; T3 = 50% MB and 50% GNH, and T4 = 100% GNH.
roughage feed that can provide adequate CP content > 7% for proper function of rumen microbes and to meet maintenance requirement of animals [23] [24], given other factors such as lignifications does not limit feed digestibility and nutrient utilization.
The results recorded in the present experiment were comparable with that reported earlier by [25] and [26]. These authors reported that the DM contents of 91.06% the basal diet such as for natural grass hay. Meanwhile, the CP content of the basal diet was comparable to 7.7% and 7.9% CP reported by [26] and [27], respectively. The CP content of basal diet in the present study was higher than 6.70% reported by [25]. However, the CP content of the natural pasture grass hay result obtained in this study was lower than 11.5% CP reported by [28]. Even though the CP content of the basal feed, natural grass hay was lower than the other treatment diets as expected, its CP content was higher than the lower limit of 7% CP required for optimum rumen function [23]. As a result, the natural grass hay (T1) can be considered as adequate for maintenance requirement of animals in terms of its CP content. As reported by Topps [29], when the CP content of roughages is below 7%, there will be impaired rumen function resulting in poor digestion of feeds, low DM intake and poor animal performance.
The NDF content of natural grass hay observed in this study was lower than 73.96% [25] but higher than 62.5% [30]. The ADF and ADL contents of natural grass hay in the present study were also lower than 48.7% and 8.5%; and 43.6% and 18.0% contents reported by [25] and [30] for natural pasture grass hay, respectively. Higher CP values for maize bran than the current finding 16.9% and 23.08% were reported by [31] and [32], respectively but higher in 87.38% DM, 3.1% ash, 8.3% ADF and 2.2% ADL contents of maize bran reported by [33]. According to [34] reported higher CP, comparable OM (90.7%) and lower NDF (52.9%) contents for groundnut haulm than the current result. The observed variation in maize bran might be due to the effect of processing in milling industries, the variety and the quality of the original grain used in the milling industries. While, the reasons for the difference in the chemical composition of groundnut haulms used in different studies might be due to season, soil fertility and post harvesting management.
3.2. Dry Matter and Nutrient Intake
The total and mean daily dry matter intake (DMI) has no significant difference among all treatments except T1. As it indicates in Table 3, sheep in treatment 4 allotted to 100% GNH trial had best nutrient intake in CP, NDF and ADF with significant difference (P < 0.001) compared to the other treatments. Hence this experiment showed that least feed and nutrient intake was obtained from animals on T1 treatment.
The mean total dry matter intake (TDMI) was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in T2, T3 and T4 than in T1 which might be due to the higher CP content of the roughage feed confirmed an increase in dry matter intake as the level of crude protein increases in the diet. The daily DM intake (DMI) of the basal diet was lower than T2, T3 and T4. The Lower dry matter intake observed in the control group (T1) might be due to the higher fiber fraction contained in the basal diet, lower dietary CP intake, and the concomitant lower digestibility of nutrients.
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Table 3. Feed intake of local sheep fed on a basal diet of hay and supplemented with groundnut haulms, maize bran and their mix.
a, b, c, dMeans with same letter in the same row are not significantly different; (***) = P < 0. 001; SL = significance level; SEM = standard error of the mean; ME = Metabolizable energy; MJ = mega joule; T1 = 0; T2 = 100% MB; T3 = 50% MB and 50% GNH, and T4 = 100% GNH.
Higher intake of DM, OM, CP, and ME for the supplemented group than the control suggests the groundnut haulms had protein potential of the supplements [35] [36] [37].
Local sheep’s in the control consumed more DM of hay as compared to the supplemented treatments, because sheep’s intake of relatively more hay than the other treatments in order to meet their nutrient requirement. Sheep fed natural grass hay (control, T1) in the current study consumed higher DM than 634, 637 and 641 g/day reported [33] [38] [39], respectively. The higher intake could be due to higher CP intakes representing the advantages of groundnut haulms’ supplementation to improve intake of nutrients. In support to this, [3] showed that supplementation of groundnut haulms increased DM and CP intakes.
3.3. Apparent Dry Matter and Nutrient Digestibility
The mean apparent digestibility of DM and nutrients in local sheep are given in Table 4. Apparent digestibility of DM had significant difference (P < 0.001) among treatments. The apparent digestibility of CP was lowest for T1 and values for T4 were higher than in T3 and T2.
The result showed that the apparent digestibility of DM, OM and ADF was observed to be lower for T1 than the supplemented groups (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference among the other supplemented groups. In this study, the CP and NDF digestibility for the control group was lower than for the supplemented groups (P < 0.001) while from the supplemented groups, T2 recorded significantly lower CP and NDF digestibility than the others (T3 and T4). The lower apparent nutrient digestibility in the control group (T1) might be associated with the higher ADF, NDF and ADL content of the basal diet. The significant differences in the apparent digestibility of NDF and ADF among treatments are in agreement with the findings of [40], who concluded that supplementation, had effect on fiber digestibility.
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Table 4. Apparent DM and nutrients digestibility (%) of local sheep fed on hay-based diet and supplement with groundnut haulms and maize bran mix feed.
a,b,cMean values in the same a row having different superscripts differ significantly; (***) = P < 0. 001; ADF = Acid detergent fiber; CP = crude protein; DM = dry matter; NDF = neutral detergent fiber; OM = organic matter; SL = significance level; SEM = standard error of the mean; T1 = 0; T2 = 100% MB; T3 = 50% MB and 50% GNH, and T4 = 100% GNH.
3.4. Body Weight Change and Feed Conversion Efficiency
The mean final body weight (FBW), body weight change (BWC), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in T4 followed by T3, then T2 and T1 was the least (Table 5). The result showed that sheep supplemented with maize bran and groundnut haulms had significantly higher (P < 0.001) FBW, BWC, ADG and FCE (T4 > T3 > T2) as compared to sheep fed without supplementation (T1). The final body weights was higher (P < 0.001) in T4 as compared to all treatment groups. However the variation in the ADG of experimental sheep followed similar trend with the variations in the final weights.
The ADG of sheep fed natural grass hay (T1) result obtained in the present study was higher than reported by [3] and [41] for indigenous sheep. This is generally attributed to the low intake and low N content of the hay. Feed supplement in T4 was efficient in the utilization of nutrients for sheep live weight gain which is in line with earlier study by [32] reported that a linear increment of feed utilization efficiency with increasing the level of supplementations. According to [42] reported that the nitrogen in groundnut is rapidly degradable in the rumen to meet the requirements of rumen microorganisms for efficient degradation of low quality roughages. This indicated that the ADG increased with the increase in CP contained in the experimental fed. In this study the DM and CP intake, and also weight gain increased linearly, this might explain CP intake is the main factor determining DM intake and live weight gain. The differences in the FBW and ADG among treatments is attributed to the better protein quality in groundnut haulms that promoted increased DMI and improved feed utilization efficiency of local sheep. Moreover, the feed improved feed conversion efficiency in supplemented groups could be due to high nutrient concentration of the supplement which leads to increased live weight gain [43]. Earlier studies [37] [44] [45] [46] also noted that body weight and carcass characteristics in Washera sheep fed supplemented with graded levels of concentrate mix fed hay as basal diet increased on body weight change and carcass characteristics of sheep.
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Table 5. Body weight change, and feed conversion efficiency of local sheep fed on groundnut haulms and maize bran mix supplementation.
3.5. Carcass Characteristics
The average slaughter weight (SW), empty body weight (EBW), dressing percentage, rib eye muscle area, forequarter and hindquarter were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in sheep supplemented with 300 g groundnut haulms as compared to sheep supplemented with 300 g MB (50%) + GNH (50%), 300 g maize bran and the control treatment (Table 6).
The dressing percentage on slaughter body weight basis in the current study was higher for sheep supplemented with groundnut haulms (T4), than for T3 and T2; no difference between T3 and T2 but the least for control group (T1). Whereas dressing percentage on the basis of empty body weight was higher for the supplemented sheep than the control. The dressing percentage values on empty body weight basis was higher than on slaughter weight basis, implying the influence of digesta (gut fill) on dressing percentage. In agreement with this study, [47] reported that heavier empty body weight for the supplemented group than the control. Earlier studies [48] [49] also showed that groundnut haulms supplementation of lambs fed on wheat bran had significantly increased slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage. Similarly, rib-eye muscle area increased for Hararghe Highland sheep fed on concentrate supplementation [47].
3.6. Edible Offal Components
The edible offal components of yearling male local sheep fed on natural grass hay based diet and supplement with groundnut haulms and maize bran mix are given in Table 7. Heart, blood, kidney, empty gut, total fat, tongue, ret-rumen, Om-ab, SI & LI, testis and tail are considered as edible offal. There was a significant
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Table 6. Carcass characteristics of sheep fed on hay-based diet and supplement with groundnut haulms and maize bran mix.
a,b,c,dMeans with different superscripts in the same row are significantly different; (***) = P < 0. 001; SEM = standard error of mean; SL = significant level; T1 = 0; T2 = 100% MB; T3 = 50% MB and 50% GNH, and T4 = 100% GNH.
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Table 7. Edible offal components of Local sheep fed on hay based diet and supplement with groundnut haulms and maize bran mix in Assosa district.
a,b,c,dMeans with different superscripts in the same row are significantly different; (***) = P < 0. 001; NS = Non significant; TEOC = total edible offal component; SL = significant level; SEM = Standard error of mean; T1 = 0; T2 = 100% MB; T3 = 50% MB and 50% GNH, and T4 = 100% GNH.
difference (P < 0.001) due to supplementation on most of the studied parameters except Om-ab, testical, heart fat and kidney fat (P > 0.001). The weight of blood, empty gut, ret-rumen, small intestine (SI) and large intestine (LI) were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in sheep supplemented with 300 g groundnut haulms as compared to sheep supplemented with 300 g MB (50%) + GNH (50%), 300 g maize bran and the control treatment.
The weight of liver and scrotal fat in the current study was higher for sheep supplemented with groundnut haulms (T4), than for T3 and T2; no difference between T3 and T2 but the least for control group (T1). Whereas kidney, heart, tongues, tail, omental fat, pelvic fat and TEOC were lower for the control treatment than the supplemented. Among the supplemented groups, T2 had significantly lower weight of liver, kidney, heart, tongue and tail than T4; while the weight of omental fat, pelvic fat and TEOC in T2 was lower than in T3 and T4.
In line with the present study, [47] reported relatively lower TEOC which were 2.2 kg for the control and 4.2 kg for supplemented group. [45] reported higher TEOC, 3605.0 g for T1 (control) and 6044.0 g for 45.0 g NSC + 200 g WB + 100 g FBH supplemented lambs. [50] reported comparable TEOC, 2.4 kg for the control and lower TEOC 3.2 kg for the supplemented. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in gut content due to concentrated mix supplementation. The significant difference in gut content between control and supplemented treatment groups in the current study due to similarity in the degradability.
3.7. Non-Edible Offal Components
Non-edible offal component of yearling male local sheep fed on hay based diet and supplement with groundnut haulms and maize bran mix are given in Table 8. Head without tongues, penis, skin, lung with trachea, pancreas, full gut, feet and TNEOC significance (P < 0.001) due to supplementation diet. In this study all of the non-edible offal components were significantly affected (P < 0.001) by diet.
Among the supplemented groups, the weight of penis, skin, lung with trachea, pancreas, bladder, full gut and total non-edible offal (TNEOC) were significantly higher in T4 than in T2 and T3. The weight of head without tongue and skin were significantly (P < 0.001) lower in T3 than in T4 and T3. In line with the present study, [51] reported that gut content of lambs fed different roughage to concentrate ratio was similar between all the treatment groups.
3.8. Partial Budget Analysis
The cost of feeds used in the experiment and the result of partial budget analysis is shown in Table 9. The result of partial budget analysis revealed that the high
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Table 8. Non-edible offal components of Local sheep fed on hay based diet and supplement with groundnut haulms and maize bran mix in Assosa district.
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Table 9. Partial budget analysis of Local sheep fed on hay based diet and supplement with groundnut haulms and maize bran mix.
level of CP% in groundnut haulms (T4) resulted in higher profit margin than other treatments. Yearling local sheep fed natural grass hay basal diet had lower net return and the supplemented group recorded the highest net return.
The results suggested that supplementation of natural grass hay basal diet with groundnut haulms was more profitable than supplemented with concentrated mix and maize bran. The net return from the supplemented experimental treatments was 4670.0, 5525.0 and 6666.0 ETB per treatment for T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The difference in net return was in a similar trend with their weight gain. The higher net return in T4 was due to the quality of protein and the lower ADL (8.21) contained in groundnut haulms supplementation, which resulted in higher body weight gain (156.2 g/day/sheep) as compared to the other treatments that had ADG of 46.4 g, 103.2 g and 123.7 g for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. This indicates that yearling local sheep fed with better quality feed perform well and have higher body weight gain and sold at maximum price and earn better net. The result of this study is in agreement with the report of [48], who indicated good economic return as a result of supplementation.
The difference in the net return among treatments might be with increasing ADG due to the high CP and low ADL contents and better protein quality in groundnut haulms that improved feed utilization efficiency of yearling local sheep. Marginal rate of return showed each additional unit of ETB per sheep cost increment resulted in 101.5, 427.6 and 2608.0 ETB benefit for T2, T3, and T4, respectively. Generally, local sheep that have a better nutrient intake had superior ADG, as a result of which they fetched higher sale price, and earn higher net return. The difference in the control and treatment was due to the difference in live weight change of the yearling local sheep in each treatment, which was a function of differences in feed quality and feed conversion efficiency.
4. Conclusions and Recommendations
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of groundnut haulms, maize bran and their mix supplementation on local sheep meat production performance in Assosa District. Twenty-four intact male local sheep were used in the feeding trial. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used to conduct the feeding trial with four treatments namely, ad libitum feeding of natural grass hay plus 0 (T1, control), and 300, 300 and 300 g DM per head per day of 100% maize bran, 50% maize bran and 50% groundnut haulm and 100% groundnut haulm for T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The chemical analyses results of the supplements showed that groundnut haulm was high in CP content. The feed intake and digestibility in sheep supplemented with groundnut haulms (T4) was higher than in other treatments. A superior daily live weight gain was recorded in yearling local sheep supplemented with groundnut haulms (156.2 g) followed by concentrate mix (123.7 g) and maize bran (103.3 g). However, the lower averages daily gain (46.4 g/d) was recorded in the control group (T1). Feed conversion efficiency was 0.08, 0.11, 0.14 and 0.17, respectively for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Similarly, slaughter weight, empty body weight, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage on a slaughter weight basis were higher in the supplemented sheep groups as compared to the control group. The mean rib eye muscle area significantly differs among treatments (9.7, 11.1, 11.6 and 12.5 cm2 for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in most of the edible and non-edible offal components of sheep. Hence, 300 g per day per head of groundnut haulms, concentrated mix and maize bran could be recommended in that order to supplement intact local sheep fed a basal diet of hay for improved feed intake, growth and carcass characteristics and hence high economic returns achievement.
Based on the study results, the following recommendations were made for further research and development interventions:
v The CP content of groundnut haulms and concentrated mix was comparable with other protein source feed; and has a favorable response in terms of sheep feed intake, body weight improvement and net profit. Therefore, the use of groundnut haulms for other animal species should be studied to induct the promising feed development strategies.
v The use of maize bran, groundnut haulms and their mixture as supplemental feed generated promising result in on-station study. On-farm study is recommended using these supplements for sheep based on different basal for better utilization of low-quality feed resources and thereby increase performance of animals.
Acknowledgements
I wish to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to my research major advisor Dr. Befikadu Zewdie and co-advisor Dr. Hirut Yirga for their sustained guidance, encouragement and constructive comments at all stages of the thesis work and without his encouragement, insight and professional expertise the completion of this work would not have been possible. Many thanks also extended to Mr. Belay Teshome for feeding the animals, guarding and cleaning the pen. A special word of thanks goes to Mr. Habte who helped me in recording data.