2025/12/03 by Yasin, Mohammed, Hassen, Mahmud
#Afar goat #Concentrate mix #Panicum grass #Sugar cane tops #concentrate mix #sugar cane tops
paper · doi:10.20372/ajst.2023.8.2.620
The experiment was conducted to evaluate the comparative feeding value of sugar cane tops as a replacement for improved pasture hay (Panicum grass), to promote sugar cane tops as the main forage source for growing goats, and to assess the economic benefit of sugar cane tops as a basal diet. Twenty-seven yearlings Afar goats with a mean initial live weight of 14.26 ± 1.23kg (mean ± SD) were used in a randomized complete block design study. Animals were blocked on their initial body weight. The experiment was conducted over three months, and carcass evaluation followed. Treatments arrangements were sugar cane tops (SCT) + 300 g concentrate mix (T1), Sugar cane tops (with molasses) + 300 g concentrate mix (T2), and Panicum grass hay (PGH) + 300 g concentrate mix (T3). The crude protein (CP) content of SCT, PGH, concentrate mix and molasses for the four treatments was 5.6%, 9.5%, 23.7 %, and 3.8%, respectively. Dry matter (DM) intake of basal diet was higher (p<0.05) for T2 (601.2g/d) and T3 (650.9g/d) and total DM intake was lower in T1 (580.5). Average daily weight gain (ADG) was lower (P<0.05) for T1 (54.7g/d) compared to other treatments T2 (59.1g/d) and T3 (68.7g/d). Hot carcass weight also followed the same trend as that of ADG. Difference in ADG (g/kg), weight change, empty body weight and hot carcass weight of T2 and T3 were not statistically significant. Therefore, SCT (with molasses) (T2) and PGH (T3) are biologically better basal diet under the feeding regime of this study. Depending on the economics and/or objective of the study, SCT (with molasses) (T2) can be recommended. From the present study, it can be concluded that Sugar cane tops can be used as a potential basal diet feed resource for growing goats. Further studies are required to examine the improvement, and palatability for better feeding strategy.