Physical characteristics, chemical composition and preference for elephant grass ensiled with wet brewers grain and gliricidia leaf by Sokoto Gudali cattle

Abstract

The ability of tropical grass silage to enhance productivity of cattle in Nigeria is often limited by its low protein content. In this study, elephant grass (EG) and Cassava peel (CSP) were ensiled with wet brewers grain (WBG) and gliricidia leaf (GL) in order to increase the protein content of the silage. Four isonitrogenous silage mixtures were prepared as follows: EG-control (60%EG + 38%CSP + 2%Urea); EG-WBG (40%EG + 19%CSP + 1%Urea + 40%WBG); EG-GL (40%EG + 19%CSP + 1%Urea + 40%GL); EG-WBG/GL (40%EG +19%CSP + 1%Urea + 20%WBG + 20%GL). The pH, physical characteristics and chemical composition of the silage mixtures were determined after 21 days of ensiling. Preference of the silages by cattle was determined using six Sokoto Gudali cows in a cafeteria feeding system. The pH of the silages ranged from 3.90 to 4.90 with EG-control having the lowest and EG-GL, the highest. Colour of silages varied from olive to deep green while aroma varied from pleasant to very pleasant. All silages had a firm texture. The crude protein content of silage ranged from 24.1% in control to 25.1% in EG-WBG while acid detergent fibre varied from 20.0% in EG-WBG to 28.9% in control. The coefficient of preference (CoP) varied from 0.65 to 1.38 while % preference varied from 16.4 to 34.6%. EG-WBG was the most preferred by cattle while EG-GL was least preferred. Wet brewer’s grain and gliricidia can be used to improve protein content of tropical grass silage; however, the offensive smell of gliricidia may have to be masked with the more acceptable WBG.