Authors: Fasae O.A., ldowu O.M.O., Moronkola A.I, Ijaduola, O.A
Nigerian Journal of Animal Production
2012 Nigerian Society for Animal Production
Abstract
A study was carried out to investigate into the availability of cassava residues and byproducts
and the utilization of the residues for goat production in Odeda local government
area of Ogun state. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire coupled with
occasional farm visits and personal interviews, from the farmers involved ill the production oj
goats and cassava. Results showed that cassava is a major crop in the area and the
cultivation of different cassava varieties is common. Cassava leaves, peels and sieviate were
the common residues and by-products available and most farmers used these residues to feed
their goats. The response of goats to cassava residues based diets was investigated using
sixteen (16) West African dwarf goats, aged 4 to 6 months with average body weight of 6.5kg
in “acompletely randomized design. The four treatments used namely (diets A to D) contained
varying levels of cassava leaves, peels and sieviate and were replicated four times. Goat’s
performance increased (P < 0.05) with increasing level of cassava leaves in the diets. Weight
gain of goats ranged from 30.02 to 37.85g/day across the dietary treatments. In conclusion,
cassava residues are readily available in the study area and the response of goats fed diet C
consisting 50% cassava leaves, 30% cassava peels and 20% cassava sieviate produced the
best performance in terms offeed intake, digestibility and weight gain. This can therefore be
recommended as best combination strategy in making use of cassava residues in goat feeding
in Nigeria.