Chemical Composition and Nutritional Values of Feed Resources for Ruminants

This Feed Table, which is generated from the feed resources data base established through the implementation of the project on “Establishment of feed resources data base in Eastern and Central Africa” implemented in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda from January 2010 to December 2011. The feed table summarizes available information on chemical composition, digestibility and energy values of locally available feed-stuff resources in the region. Perusing through this Feed Table, it is clear that there are some gaps and these calls for further research by National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in the region to fill the gaps. However, this Feed Table acts as a guide to proper feeding of animals and is therefore very useful to livestock advisors and progressive farmers. Furthermore, the Feed Table will provide quick access to information on feedstuffs to researchers and students in agriculture, animal science, veterinary and allied sciences. Feed manufacturers and policy makers will also benefit from the information in this Feed Table. It is hoped that farmers will be given training on how to use the Feed Table to enable them understand available feed resources and their quality, planting or purchasing of quality feedstuffs and of required standards. In addition, the farmers will be able to make proper feed formulation and feeding strategies for various classes of animals at different production stages. For effective use of this Feed Table, livestock advisors, feed manufacturers and farmers must be taught on how to make use of such data for day to day decision making on feeding livestock economically for increased livestock products of good quality and hence optimise profitability of livestock enterprises.

Publication Details

• Published: 2013
• Publisher: Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
• ISBN-13: 978-92-95070-95-0