The Effect Of Replacing Cassava Peel Meal With Discarded Tiger Nut (Cyperus Esculentus) Meal On Yield And Composition Of Milk Of Red Sokoto Goats

ABSTRACT

Twelve lactating Red Sokoto Goats in their first parity were used to determine the effect of replacing cassava peel meal with discarded Tiger rut meal on milk yield and composition. The experimental design was CRD. Cassava peel meal was replaced at the levels of 0, 30 and GO%. Each treatment was replicated four times. Parameters measured were DM intake and milk yield. Digestibility and nitrogen balance study was carried out using three Red Sokoto Bucks (aged between 10-12 months) with average initial weight of 11kg and arranged in a 3x3 Latin square design. The results shows that DM intake vas significantly (P<0.05) higher for goats on treatment 2 (30% DTNM). The mean daily milk yield of goats in treatment 1 and 2 were not significantly (P>0.05) different. The highest value of dry matter digestibility was recorded by goats on treatment 2. The nitrogen retention values were best in animals placed on treatment 2 and 3 with 30% and 60% DTNM supplementation respectively. It was concluded that, since the use of discarded tiger nut up to 30% incluson level in a supplementary diet for goats in this study has no adverse effect it can be recommended that discarded tiger nut can constitute up to 30% of supplementary ration for goats during the long dry season.