Alfalfa is a good quality plant for cattle because of its protein content. But I've not seen it in Nigeria yet. But I came across a site that stated that sweet potato vines and foliage, when dried, compares favourably with alfalfa hay for cattle. So any time you see a cattle feed fmla with alfalfa in it, just know that dried sweet potato vines and foliage is a good substitute.

Cassava leaves is a very good source of protein for ruminants (goats, cattle, and sheep). Young leaves contain 28-30% crude protein and older leaves contain about 20% crude protein. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals. Fiber content is high but this is a problem for monogastrics (poultry, pigs) and not for ruminants.

When growing cassava for leaves, they are planted close together to achieve 60,000 plants per hactare. This is equivalent to a spacing of about 60cm x 28cm. When cassava is grown for roots, plant density is about 10,000.

First harvest is done at 4 months after planting and subsequently, at 3 months intervals. Yield of up tp 21 ton dry matter per hactare is achievable per year. Harvest by cutting the stem at 40cm above ground.

Before feeding to ruminants, reduce the toxic cyanide content by chopping and wilting under shade before sun drying. During wilting, turn them regularly to prevent fermentation and spoilage. After wilting, they'll dry quickly under the sun. Another way to reduce cyanide content is by ensiling. Cyanide content of 508mg/kg (with respect to dry matter) have been reduced to 70 7mg/kg after ensiling for 21 days with 5% sugar paln syrup (i.e sugar and water at 1:1 ratio). Some cassava varieties are better detoxified by sun-drying, others by ensiling.

Cassava contains a good amino acid profile, though it is deficient in methionine. For minerals, it is a good source of calcium and trace minerals. Phosphorus abd sodium content is low.

Cassava leaves have been known to reduce nematode (worms) infestation in goats.

In this post, I'll be sharing some useful feed fprmulae for sheep. I made this collection from various academic researches.

1. Forage Feed Fmla for Lambs


In an experiment with Javanese thin-tail lambs and Kacang kids, a diet of elephant grass and tree legume forage or wilted cassava leaves gave a growth rate of 50g/day ( Javanese thin-tail lambs) and 20g/day ( Kacang kids). Sheep can grow faster than these. But this is still another fmla worth trying out since it is cheap.

If it work for those sheep species, it will probably work for other species, though result may be different.
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Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication...k_District.

In addition to grass and concentrate, goats need minerals as they are critical for growth and general wellbeing. Here is a sample mineral lick suitable for goats.

Bone meal: 50%
Trace mineral mix: 10%
Molasses: 5%
Cement: 13%
Salt: 22%
(Seng sokerya and Rodriguez 2001)

Note that goats that have access to lots of diverse plants will likely meet their mineral requirement. But if your goats are penned, they will need minerals to perform better.

Initially, they grow fast until they reach 5 months old. Then it slows down until adult weight is reached. Growth rate varies from 20 to 200g per day depending on feed quality.

After a period of under feeding, they will grow faster than normal if feeding is improved. This is called compensatory growth.

Below is a feed formulae that can make goats to grow at a rate of 54g per day:
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70% Gliricidia sepium, 30% Cassava peel (dried under the sun to remove toxin) and salt lick.
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A 6 months old goat weighing 6.1kg was used in the experiment. When growing at this rate, the goat will gain 19.8kg in 1yr, ataining 25.9kg. When killed and deboned, we'll be left with 13.2kg meat, considering the fact that goats normally have 51% dressing percentage.
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Pictures of Gliricidia
   
Image source: http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropic...dia+sepium

   
Image source: https://www.feedipedia.org/node/552

The pic below is Leucaena leucocephala from wikipedia. It is another good legume tree for ruminants.
   

Experiment Source: https://books.google.com.ng/books?id=BAG...el&f=false

I just want to share my son's homework the other day. Their teacher asked them what they want to be when they grow old. He drew a farmer because he wanted to be one. When I asked him, he said it's because he loves plants and he wants to take care of them. He also wanted to help people by giving them food using the plants he grew. I just found it really cute. If you have any related stories, please feel free to share!

Hello all. Pls can I apply paraquat to weeds in a maize farm without bad results? What are the herbicides i can use in a maize farm?

Will it work? Considering the fact that cigarette contains nicotine, a pesticide.

Just like cucumber and pepper, should okra be prunned to increase yield and prevent them from reaching over 6ft tall?

I have been searching for safe insecticides and fungicides one can use during harvest time of vegetables. I don't want them to contaminate the produce due to their bad health effect. Pls anyone that knows should list them here.

Pls who know the maize variety that will do well during the dry season? In the south east to be specific. Thanks.

Good evens. all. Pls who knows plants that can survive whitefly infestation? That pest is a big problem in dry season when farming is more profitable.

Pls does anyone know where I can get whitefly sex pheromone? I want to use it to attract, trap and kill whiteflies. They said it is effective.

I have read about the good fungicidal activities of phosphoric acid. So I'm wondering if i can make it myself by combining bone ash (rich in phosphate) and acid. Are my getting it?

Watering plants with a solution of NPK in water is one of the fastest ways of supplying nutrients to young plants that have not develop enough roots. But what I will like to know is the quantity of NPK needed per liter of water. Too much fertilizer will kill the young plant. Pls can anyone help?

I once soak manure in water for 3 days and spray on some plants and those plants almost died. Was the concentration too much or what? Experience farmers pls come in.

I noticed that whiteflies are problematic especially during the dry season. What is the best way of controlling them?

When is the right time to start prunning pepper. Is it before or after transplanting?

Every maize farmer knows what fall armyworms can do. There are chemical control methods but due to their risks - cancer, organ damage, etc - organic control methods are welcomed if they are effective. Some sites recommended neem oil, nimbecidine or Mix 85g of crushed garlic with 50ml of vegetable oil and add 10ml of liquid soap. Mix 50ml of the garlic and vegetable oil emulsion with 1l of water, shake thoroughly before spraying.
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Problem is, I don't know how effective these will be and I don't have access to neem oil and nimbicidine. So I have only the 3rd optionto try out and tell you guys the result.
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If you know any effective organic control methods, pls share.