Use of supplement levels of Stylosanthes scabra (Stylo) leaf

Livestock Research for Rural Development 21
(5) 2009
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Abstract
A study was conducted in the research station of the Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du
Rwanda (ISAR), Karama research station in order to evaluate the effect of the various levels of
supplement of Stylosanthes scabra (Stylo) leaf meal on the milk production of the Ankole cows.
Sixteen cows with average live weight of 330 kg in the same stage of lactation were selected for
the experiment. Each feed ration was assigned to each treatment of 4 cows. SS0 (control) was fed
on the natural pasture; other treatments: SS10, SS20 and SS30 received supplement of Stylo leaf
meal at the rates of 10; 20 and 30% of dry matter (DM) corresponding to 1; 2 and 3 kg of DM
respectively. The duration of the study was 2 months. Data were collected on milk yield (in
liters) and on chemical feed analysis namely neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber
(ADF), crude proteins (CP), phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca).
It has been noticed that the content of CP in Stylo was 21% and 6.1% in natural pasture. The
average intake of the supplement per day was high in SS30 (2.5 kg of DM/day) followed by
SS20 (1.7 kg of DM/day) and finally comes SS10 (0.7 kg of DM/day). The quantity of milk
produced was significantly high (p< 0.05) in the treatment having received supplements of Stylo
than in the treatments fed on natural pasture. It was noticed that the greatest milk production was
obtained in the cows which received 30% (3 kg of DM) of Stylo, followed by SS20 and SS10
which received 20% and 10% of Stylo respectively. At the end of experiment, it was suggested
that 3 kg of DM of Stylo was the optimal level of supplement for the milk production of 1.80
l/day of Ankole cow.
Key words: Ankole cows, milk production, Stylosanthes scabra leaf meal
Introduction
Rwandan economy is dependent on agriculture and livestock production with more than 85% of
the population relying on agriculture and livestock production for livelihood (MINAGRI 2001).
Rwandan rate of population growth is very high; this has put a pressure on the arable lands and
pastures. These cause the reduction of cattle population which led also to the deficit of animal
protein in the diet of the majority of the Rwandans. However, cattle production occupies an
important place and plays a principal role in the economic and social life of the Rwandans.
Furthermore, the local cattle Ankole, is the most representative cattle and most popular in
Rwanda (Ndoba 2000). Cattle owners have started to improve Ankole by the introduction of the
exotic blood, but their genetic potentials are not yet well-known.
Likewise, all cattle genetic improvement start with the Ankole breed thanks to its hardiness. If it
were subjected to better management and feeding, it could uplift its genetic potentials and its
performances of reproduction which remain currently very low. The feed remains always a
capital constraint for the improvement of the cattle production in Rwanda. Many livestock
owners in the country use semi-intensive system. According to MINAGRI (1997) this mode of
cattle production is practiced by more than 62% of the cattle keepers, except in the eastern region
of the country where it is 14.3%.
Everywhere in the grazing land, there is dominance of grass in comparison with legumes and the
animals are also offered grasses as supplement (Pennissetum purpureum, Setaria sphacelata and
other grass pastures cultivated on the bund for the erosion control). Furthermore, concentrates
are very expensive under the local farmer conditions, and the effectiveness of the use of legumes
in the ration of the animals remains low. Under the situation it is necessary to incorporate fodder
legumes in the animal feeding system for economic milk production by Rwandan farmers.
Among the factors that contribute to the milk yield, feeding occupies the key role along with
pests and disease control. Relying on the natural grass feed only is insufficient for lactating and
in-calf animals for high productivity. For a clear increase in the livestock production, the
contribution of fodder legume in the ration is one of the solutions suggested, because of its
impact on the growth and the production, and of its accessibility to the small holder farmers
compared to the concentrates. This study aimed to highlight the influence of Stylosanthes scabra
as supplement feed on the milk production of the Ankole cows. The objective was to contribute
to the increase of milk production of Ankole cow starting with the improvement of the natural
pasture by supplementation with fodder legume (Sthylosanthes scabra). It is within this frame
the hypothesis that: introduction of Stylosanthes scabra as supplement of basic feed (natural
pasture) significantly increases the milk production of the Ankole cows.
Materials and methods
Location of study
The study was conducted in the research station of the ISAR-Karama located in the district of
Bugesera, eastern province of Rwanda. The geographical positions are 1’300– 30° 25’ East and
2° 05’- 2° 30’ South and an altitude of 1400 m a.s.l (Munyemana 2001). According to the
classification of Koppen, the climate of Bugesera is of the Aw type 3-4 characterized by an
average temperature of the coldest month higher than 18°C and a dry season of 3 to 4 months
(Munyemana 2001). According to Chapelle (1978) cited by Rwicaninyoni (1987), the rainfall is
frequently in lower part of 1000 mm and reached an average of 950 mm per year, which induces
a rather dry climate. According to the same author, the daily temperatures generally vary
between 15°C and 28°C with an average of 21.5°C. The average relative sunshine calculated in
18 years is 51.5%, the relative humidity of the air is around 73.5% and the mean velocity of the
wind is of 3.68 km/h. The vegetation is marked by the abundance of xerophilous thickets in
dense formation. These thickets join together a hundred species where dominate Carissa sp,
Haplocoelum spp, Olea spp, of the small lawns graminaceous, especially Brachiaria which grow
between the thickets. These thickets characterize the local pastures (Munyemana 2001). The area
of ISAR - Karama is about 1000 ha with 300 ha for agriculture and 700 ha for grazing land and
for the fodder crops like Pennisetum purpereum, Setaria sphacelata, Calliandra callothyrus,
Sthylosanthes guianensis, Sthylosanhes scabra, Desmodium distortum, Mucunhas utilis.
Duration of the experiment
The duration of the study was 2 months: from August 15 at October 15, 2008. This period was
covered by a dry season.
Experimental animals
Sixteen Ankole cows of the ISAR-Karama in period of lactation were selected based on their age
and calving stage and similar weight (about 330 kg). They were initially subjected to a veterinary
examination and verified to be healthy. The ticks were controlled by dipping tank in acaricide
once per week and then the cows were assigned in 4 treatments at random and identified by ear
tags. All the selected cows were in the 3rd calving and were in 1st month of lactation. In the
ISAR- Karama research station milk yield of Ankole cows was estimated at 0.7 liters per day.
Feed
The basic feed was primarily made up by the natural pasture dominated by Brachiaria
humidicolla, Hyparrhenia rufa and Cynodon dactylon. Apart from natural grazing, the mineral
supplement was the salts mixed in the water. The supplement ration consisted of Stylosanthes
scabra which was cultivated and collected in the field of forage seed multiplication of ISARKarama.
This supplement ration was the object of the study. Prior to the experimentation 16
animals were fed on similar feed to accustom to a new environment and a new diet. During the
period of experiment, each morning after milking, cows were led to the grazing land and
remained there for 9 hours; the supplement ration was distributed in evening according to the
level allotted to each group as it is indicated in table 1. The animals were watered during the day
in herd and during the evening, the water was distributed ad libitum in a shed.
Table 1. Experimental design
Number of
treatments
Number of
cows Feeds
SS0 (control) 4 Natural pasture (grazed voluntary by cows in the
pasture)
SS10 (treatment) 4 Natural pasture +10% of Sthylosanthes Scabra DM
SS20 (treatment) 4 Natural pasture + 20% of Sthylosanthes Scabra DM
SS30 (treatment) 4 Natural pasture + 30% of Sthylosanthes Scabra DM
For the mineral of supplement, the cows received salt mixed in water and during the
experimentation, hygiene was ensured in a rigorous way.
Feed intake
To know feed intake of the various supplement rations used, the quantity of feed distributed and
that refused were weighed daily and noted in a register. Thus the feed intake was obtained by
making the difference between the distributed quantities of feed and that refused.
Milk production
To know the quantity of milk produced, the milking was carried out manually twice a day each
morning and each evening, measured and recorded. To stimulate the letdown of the milk, calves
suckled before milking and after milking for the period of the experiment. The milk consumed
by calves was not measured because of lack of appropriate materials; neither did we take calf
weight during the trial period.
Feed analysis
The nutrient of feed used in the experiment was analyzed to determine the quality of fodder
which constituted the various levels of supplement ration and the natural pasture grazed by
animals. These samples were taken randomly and were analyzed according to formula of AOAC
(1990) for the dry matter (DM) using an oven at 105° C, neutral detergent fibers (NDF), acid
detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), calcium was made by the atomic absorption
spectrophotometer and phosphorus by colorimetry.
Statistical analysis
The relationship between feed consumed and supplement feed, milk production and supplement
feed were plotted on bar charts. Box-cox plots were conducted for the two data sets. Data on
milk yield was square root transformed y΄=sqrt (x+0.5) to stabilize the variances before the
mixed model procedure of SAS was conducted. Means were separated with t-test of probabilities
of the pair wise least square means. To estimate percent change in feeding animals with
progressive concentrate at the rate of 1kg, the formula (1) was used.
Y= (C-B)/Cx 100 (1)
Where:
Y is percentage change if we fed the cow with additional B concentrate;
C= milk derived when used natural pasture; and
B milk derived when we use B (=1, 2, 3 kg) supplements.
In some of the cases that required ANOVA analyses, least significant differences (LSD) was
used at p=0.05 in separating means.
Results
Feed analysis
Results of the pasture chemical analysis of the various samples taken in the natural pasture and
the supplement ration (Stylosanthes scabra) were analyzed in a dry status. As one of the
objectives of this study was to determine the content of nutritive value of Stylosanthes scabra,
and that of the natural pasture, table 2 shows that the dry matter concentration of feed did not
vary very much natural pasture had 96.26% of DM while Stylosanthes scabra had 96.23%.
Table 2. Nutritive value of natural pasture and Stylosanthes scabra of Karama
Feed DM,
%
CP,
%
ADF,
%
NDF,
% P, % Ca,
% CF, % Ash, %
Natural
pasture 96.26 6.1 51.8 71.3 0.12 0.5 37.5 8.35
S.scabra 96.23 21 28.8 37.9 0.24 1.21 31.95 8.88
Legend: DM: Dry Matter; ADF: Acid Detergent Fiber, CF: Crude fiber; NDF: Neutral Detergent Fiber; CP:
Crude Protein;
P: Phosphorus, Ca: Calcium
Stylosanthes scabra had about 3.5 times higher CP than the natural pasture that is explained by
the fact that Stylosanthes scabra is a plant legume whereas the natural pasture is dominated by
the grass herbs.
For phosphorus, the concentration varies between 0.12% DM for the natural pasture and 0.24%
of DM for Stylosanthes scabra. Calcium levels concentrations were between 0.5% of DM for the
natural pasture, and 1.21% of DM for Stylosanthes scabra. Finally the various concentrations in
ash varied between 8.35% of DM for the natural pasture and 8.88% for Stylosanthes scabra.
Supplement ration consumption
During the experimentation, cows of SS10, SS20 and SS30 were fed supplement ration with the
various rates (10, 20 and 30 % respectively) of Stylosanthes scabra and feed consumption is
presented in table 3.
Table 3. Daily supplement ration consumption
Period in
Week
Treatments
SS10 SS20 SS30
Kg (DM) /day Kg (DM) /day Kg (DM) /day
1 0.66 1.70 2.40
2 0.73 1.43 2.40
3 0.71 1.60 2.28
4 0.74 1.51 2.13
5 0.84 1.90 2.59
6 0.81 1.89 2.84
7 0.84 1.76 2.63
8 0.86 1.80 2.77
9 0.84 1.82 2.78
Thus the incorporation of Stylosanthes scabra leaf meal in the order of 10; 20 and 30% of DM in
the ration led to a significant increase in feed intake (P< 0.05). Different letters indicate
significantly different (p=0.05) by LSD (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Quantity of supplement feed consumed by cows
This shows that Stylosanthes scabra, besides its considerable nutritive value, is also highly
palatable to the cattle. Moreover, the incorporation of high CP feed as supplement is known to
create conditions very favorable to the growth and the proliferation of the micro-organisms of the
rumen which will attack and degrade the lignified elements of the ration, which increases the
feed intake. The quantities of supplement offered and consumed show that the supplement was
highly relished by the animals with hardly any refusals.
Milk production
Evolution of milk production
Mean milk outputs at various levels of Stylosanthes scabra leaf meal during the study as well as
percent increase of milk production due to use of Stylosanthes scabra have also been calculated
and given on Table 4.
Table 4. Least square means of milk yield of Ankole cows under different feed supplement
Supplementary feed, % Milk yield/ day x, liters ±0.011 % change from Control
Control (SS0) 0.98 (0.47) -
10 1.27 (1.10) 28.94*
20 1.40 (1.45) 42.32*
30 1.52 (1.80) 54.38*
x Data from square root transformation. Actual means are in parenthesis.
* Significantly different (p≤0.03) by t-test of the pair wise probabilities from least square
means
This table shows that the greatest output of milk was reached by the treatment which received
30% of the additional ration (54.4% higher than the control).The figure 2 shows a general
progression of milk production as we increased the supplement. Lack of supplement gave very
low yield throughout the nine weeks. Feeding Ankole cows with 1 kg of legume Stylosanthes
scabra increased milk production by about 29% (P≤0.03).
Figure 2. Box-cox plot for milk distribution over feed supplement
The milk production was observed to increase with the level of supplementation. SS0 produced
0.47 l of milk on average per week for duration of 9 weeks or 61 days because the last week
lasted 5 days. It should also be realized that these cows were at the 3rd calving.
Analysis of the milk production
The analysis of milk production, ANOVA is presented on Figs 3. Distributed feed following the
various levels of Stylosanthes scabra in the ration showed a significant difference (P< 0.05) for
the milk production.
Figure 3. Average milk production per feeding treatment
Indeed, the analyses carried out for the sample taken in the pasture showed that the pasture was
relatively low in nutritive value with crude protein content of 6.1 % of DM.
Another factor which can explain the low milk production of the cows which consumed only the
natural pasture can be the low digestibility of the fodder resources available, for the majority is
the grasses, whereas principal herbs species composing this pasture are the grasses which are
rich in CF and not very digestible lignin. Significant increase in the production in the cows
which received a supplement of Stylosanthes scabra leaf meal from 10; 20 and 30%, can be
explained by the quality of feed value of Stylosanthes scabra. According to the chemical
analyses carried out, it has a content of crude protein of 21% of DM and a content of relatively
low fiber, neutral detergent fiber 37.9% (NDF) and acid detergent fiber 28.8% of DM (ADF).
Besides this difference related to the supplement ration used, other factors can also explain this
low milk production of the cows which received only pasture. Again the experimentation was
conducted during the dry season where almost the totality of the pasture was composed of dry
grass of bad quality. The chemical analyses carried out for the natural pasture of the ISARKarama
confirmed the low content of crude proteins and a high content of fiber.
The milk production of the three supplemented treatments also shows significant differences.
This difference probably comes from the various feed levels which provide additional nutrients
through the incremental supplement.
Discussion
Feed analysis
It may be noted that the low content of crude protein was observed during dry period; it could
have been different if wet seasons were also considered. According to Rivière (1991) with share
the degree of drying, other factors can influence the content of dry matter of feed; these are plant
species, the age of the plant, the parts of the plant, the season and soil type. Mandret (1990)
confirms that the content of dry matter is low during the rainy season and increase slowly until
the beginning of the dry season, and then it progresses rather quickly during the dry season to
reach a level of 80 - 90% and that at the end of the dry season the cows have only fodder with
high percentage of dry matter. According to Cheeke (2005) the fodder legumes are richer in
protein than the grasses. The grasses generally have a low content of proteins but which can be
improved by the nitrogen fertilization if the harvest of fodder is carried out when plant is still
young (Miller 1979). According to the same author, with great nitrogen fertilization, the content
of CP of certain immature grass species can exceed 20% of the dry matter. Considering the
fibrous components, the content of ADF of natural pasture is almost twice (51.8%) of that of
Stylosanhes scabra. The same applies for NDF, (71.3%) for the pasture and 37.9% for
Stylosanthes scabra. Here the high content NDF is indicative of maturity of the pasture.
According to Jarrige and Peyraud (1993), the grasses are more lignified than fodder leguminous
plants. Content of ADF and NDF which is presented in Stylosanthes scabra is also considerably
lower than in the natural grass. Normally, the fraction of ADF is consisted of CF, the lignin and a
large fraction of hemicelluloses and pectic substances. The results of the analysis of the chemical
composition carried out on the natural pasture of ISAR-Karama confirm the low nutritive value
of tropical grass species. The tropical grass species are known to be richer in the structural
carbohydrates and low in crude protein, with a low rate of digestion of OM and DM.
As for Stylosanthes scabra, these Phosphorus contents and Calcium were not far from those cited
by Toutain et al (1992) on Stylosanthes scabra in West Africa. The author found that
Stylosanthes scabra present values equivalent to 0.29% for the Phosphorus and 1.32% of
Calcium. These differences observed could be due to the various factors cited by various authors:
Miller (1979) reports that the differences observed would be ascribable at the stage of maturity to
harvest, the fertilization and the edaphic characteristics, the climate and the season, as to the
changes which take place during the conservation and storage. For crude fiber, the concentration
varied between 37.5% for the natural pasture and 31.95% for Stylosanthes scabra, these contents
are almost similar. The values found do not diverge completely with those from Jarrige (1988).
He found values of CF about 38% DM for the grass fodder and 35% DM for fodder legumes.
Here the content of crude fiber of grass fodder remain higher than that of fodder legumes, which
testifies the bad digestibility of grass fodder compared to fodder leguminous plants. The
concentrations of ash as presented in table 5 do not diverge much from the value 8.14% DM for
Stylosanthes scabra (Edye and Topark-Ngarm 1992).
Supplement ration consumption
The high feed intake can be due at the physiological state of the cows and their levels of
production. The level of production has a clear influence in the cows with strong production
which have large energy need (Rivière 1991). According to this author, the cows in lactation
consume more than dried cows without considering the quantity of milk produced. The other
factors influencing the feed intake; include the level of energy in the ration. If feed is sufficiently
palatable to be easily consumed, the principal factor which determines their voluntary ingestion
is the concentration in energy (Cheeke 2005). According to the same author, if the diet low in
energy is used, the ingestion of feed is high, than that with a diet rich in energy. Ademond
(1985), reports that the presence of fodder legumes in a ration increases the dry matter
consumption and probably digestibility. It still affirmed that the animals receiving the highest
level of supplement never refuse and present a consumption of 37.7% higher than that of the
reference treatment subjected to the exclusively grass mode.
Another factor related to the chemical composition of the feed and which influences also the
intake, is the fiber concentration. The content of acid detergent fiber (ADF) affects more
ingestion than the fraction of detergent fiber neutral (NDF), which seriously does not limit
ingestion Van Soest (1994), cited by Karugendo (1998). A supplement of digestible nitrogen
matter can improve in a clear way the digestibility of fodder and increases the voluntary level of
ingestion thus making it possible to significantly reduce the losses of weight of the animals and
to even meet in certain case the needs for maintenance (Rivière 1991). The content of protein of
feed also acts on their intake. According to Crowder et al (1982) quoted by Karugendo (1998),
the weak ingestion observed on tropical fodder is due with low content of proteins of the mainly
forage grass. Elliot and Signals (1963), and Minson et al (1976) quoted by Karugendo (1998),
observed a reduction of ingestion when the content of protein went down in lower part from 70
g/kg from DM. However, the content of ADF exceeding 500-600 g/kg DM is reported to be an
inhibiting limit of ingestion. The low nitrogen content of feed does not allow a sufficient
proliferation of the bacteria of the rumen, resulting into fall of digestibility, and an obstruction of
the rumen by not digested substances (Rivière 1991). However the age of fodder at harvest also
influences the contents of the fiber in the forage which in turn makes them more resistant to
digestion. According to Rutazihana (2003) more the plants age, more resist the microbial attack,
but the cow needs a large and sufficient quantity of DM to maintain rumination. The fodder
legumes used during the experimentation had not exceeded its state of harvest.
Milk production
Evolution of milk production
The peak of lactation was 0.74 l for the SS0, 1.24 l for the SS10, 1.57 l for the SS20 and finally
1.94 l for the SS30. It was observed that the milk production of the cows of these various
treatments shows a higher milk production during the second and seventh week of the
experiment, which does not diverge completely with the various authors. According to CPAQ
(1981), the peak of lactation continues between the sixth and the eighth week after calving and
finally decreases regularly. Craplet (1973) reported that the milk production increased during the
first week following the calving and passes by a maximum the second and the sixth week then
decreases more or less regularly until drying up. The principal factors of variation of the
maximum daily milk production are: Initial production, feed, the number of milking per day as
well as the interval between each milking.
Analysis of milk production
In practice the protein content which is equivalent to 16% in the ration is necessary for the
majority of the cows in lactation consuming sufficient energy to satisfy the energy needs (Miller
1979). The energy expenditure of the production of milk is very important. They are a function
of the secreted quantity and the composition of milk, which varies with the animal species, the
breed, its aptitude and its degree of selection, and individuality (Rivière 1991). According to this
author, for the same individual, this expenditure also depends on the age, the number of calving
and the stage of lactation, as well as conditions of maintenance, feed and health of the animal.
Tropical fodder is in general richer in crude fiber less digestible and also lower in nutritive value.
The low fiber concentration shows that Stylosanthes scabra has a considerable feed value. When
the content of fiber is sufficiently low, the animals can satisfy their energy needs.
Indeed, the experimentation being conducted during the dry season where almost the totality of
the pasture was composed of dry grass of bad quality. According to Cheeke (2005), the climatic
factors are contributed to the reduction of the feed value of tropical grasses. Same author quoted
by Jarrige (1995), the high temperatures are at the environmental origin of the lignifications and
the reduction of the digestibility of fodder. The daily milk production was on average of 1.12 l;
1.45 l and 1.83 l respectively for SS10, SS20 and SS30. These values approach with those
obtained by Sibomana (1992) at the Station of ISAR-SONGA (from 1976 to 1982) on the cows
Ankole 2.1 ± 0.1 kg per day of lactation. But Rubona happened to be in a relatively wet and cool
environment. That shows that the contribution of the various levels of Stylosanthes scabra to the
Ankole cows of the ISAR-Karama during lactation a positive effect on the milk production.
A part from the way in which we fed the cows for this period of lactation, the pre-calving feed
can also intervene on the milk production. According to Uwituze (2002), the milk production
depends on several factors where sufficient feed during pregnancy is important, and the quality
of a feed is assessed through qualities of the required nutrients that it provides to the animal.
The dairy females can be brought to a satisfactory condition, only if they are properly fed to meet
the needs for growth, maintenance and pregnancy, before entering in lactation (Rivière 1991).
According to this author, to maximize the milk production, two particular periods require
attentive care, the last months of pregnancy and the beginning of lactation. Thus the fact that for
the periods which precede the experimentation the cows fed only natural pasture, can explain the
small quantity of milk. The way in which we made the milking can also justify the low milk
production.
Conclusions
• The chemical analyses carried out on feed used during the experimentation, showed that
Stylosanthes scabra present the nutritive values considerable. Its content of CP is 21%DM.
whereas it is 6.1% DM for the natural pasture.
• It was proven that Stylosanthes scabra leaf meal can be introduced in the ration of the dairy
cows. In this study, it was proven that by distributing proportions of 10%; 20% and 30% of
Stylosanthes scabra after the grazing, the feed intake continues to increase what confirmed
that the quantity of the introduced ration increases as far as the level of Stylosanthes scabra
increase in the distributed of supplement ration.
• The supplement of Stylosanthes scabra leaf meal causes an increase in the milk production of
Ankole cows of the station of ISAR-Karama. The complementary ration containing 30%
which corresponds to 3 kg of Stylosanhes scabra DM causes a greater milk output (milk 1.83
l /day/ cow) followed by the complementary ration containing 20% and 10% which
respectively induced milk production of 1.45 l and 1.12 l of milk per day and cow. We can
conclude that this level of feed had a significant effect between the four treatments on the
milk production.
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Received 9 January 2009; Accepted 26 January 2009; Published 1 May 2009
Available at: http://www.lrrd.org
ISSN 0121-3784