Biological treatment of peanut hay as ruminant feed

Abstract

This work was carried out to evaluate the effect of two biological treatments on the nutritive value of peanut hay (PNH). Three Barki rams and three ewes (ftted with permanent rumen fistula) were used for the digestibility and rumen fermentation trials, respectively. Six crossbred Friesian cows were used for the lactation trial. All animal were fed a restricted amount of commercial concentrate and ad libitum PNH either untreated (control) or treated with Tricoderma viride or ZAD probiotic. Higher crude protein content and higher losses in fiber, except for hemicellulose, were observed with the treated PNH. Total digestible nutrients ranged between 55.8 and 64.62% for control or fungi treated diets, respectively. Highest values of nitrogen balance were observed with the ZAD probiotic diet and the lowest value was observed in sheep fed the control diet. Rumen ammonia concentration and its rates of production were significantly (P<0.05) higher with ZAD probiotic. VFA were significantly higher (P<0.05) with fungi treatment than other diets. Milk production was increased with the fungi and ZAD diet. Biological treatment leads to increase milk fat and total solids compared with the control diet. Long term feeding of such material with analysis of metabolites (blood and milk) of animals fed such material is necessary.