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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #58062
Title: CONSUMPTION OF CHOPPED KENAF BY SPANISH GOATS

Author
item WILDEUS, STEPHAN - VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
item BHARDWAJ, HARBANS - VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
item RANGAPPA, M - VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Webber Iii, Charles

Submitted to: Kenaf Association International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This study assessed the palatability of kenaf by meat- type goats and evaluated possible differences in intake due to leaf shape. The experiment utilized eight yearling Spanish does (30-40 kg body weight), individually housed in polydomes. A 90- day stand of kenaf was harvested fresh at two-day intervals and the stem chopped by hand to 3-5 cm length. After a 10-day adaption period fed intake was measured during a 6-day period with the two leaf shapes fed separately to four animals each. Feed was provided twice daily (AM/PM) at 140% of the estimated intake determined during the adaptation period. There was considerable daily variation in intake between individual animals (0.9 to 4.6 kg), but daily intake was not affected by leaf shape (2.93 kg/d of narrow and 3.00 kg/d of broad leaf types) in this trial. The feed as offered had 27 and 31% dry matter, 15.2 and 15.8% crude protein, and 25.2 and 24.8% acid detergent fiber (ADF), for narrow and broad leaf shapes, respectively. Feed refused was 8.6% higher in dry matter and 15.1% higher in fiber, but 6.54% lower in crude protein than the feed offered. These data indicate that kenaf may provide a suitable feed source for goats and that the narrow leaf shape may have a slightly higher nutritional value.