Last Updated on July 3, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Femi Dansu
The Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR) has underscored the potential of ensiled Brachiaria grasses as sustainable feed resources to enhance goat productivity during its Monthly Seminar held on June 24, 2026, at the Institute’s Laboratory.
The seminar featured a presentation by Mr. Tovieesi Peter, a Research Fellow in the Livestock Production Research Programme, who shared findings from his study on the growth performance, blood profile, rumen microbial population, and microbial identification in KALAWAD and Maradi goats fed silage produced from Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria mulato.
According to the researcher, seasonal feed scarcity remained a major challenge to livestock production in Nigeria and other tropical regions, often resulting in poor animal performance, compromised health, and reduced profitability for farmers. To address this, the study evaluated the effectiveness of silage prepared from the two Brachiaria species as an alternative dry-season feed.
Presenting the findings, Mr Peter disclosed that goats fed ensiled Brachiaria diets showed satisfactory growth and maintained normal physiological health throughout the study. Haematological and biochemical analyses showed that all measured parameters remained within acceptable physiological ranges, indicating that the diets had no adverse effects on the animals.
He further explained that the silages supported diverse rumen microbial populations, which enhanced fermentation, improved digestion, and promoted efficient nutrient utilisation. The identification of beneficial rumen microorganisms also demonstrated the ability of the silages to sustain a healthy and productive rumen environment.
The researcher noted that the adoption of Brachiaria-based silage could provide livestock farmers with a cost-effective and sustainable feeding strategy, ensuring year-round feed availability and reducing the impact of seasonal forage shortages.
He concluded that both Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria mulato silages are promising feed resources capable of improving productivity, supporting animal health, and enhancing rumen function in KALAWAD and Maradi goats.
Mr. Peter recommended the wider adoption of Brachiaria-based silage technologies among goat farmers and called for further studies to investigate their long-term effects on reproductive performance, productivity, and profitability in small ruminant production systems.
