Effect of oil palm frond silage mixed with different levels of molasses on intake and nutrient utilization in native cattle

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine effects of oil palm frond silage (OPFS) mixed with 0, 2, 4 and 6% molasses on nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation process in Thai native male cattle. Four Thai native male cattle, 2.7-2.8 years old with average body weight (BW) of 280+5 kg, were arranged in 4x4 Latin Square design. The cattle were fed with OPFS mixed with molasses ad libitum and supplemented with concentrate at 0.5% of BW as dry matter (DM) basis. The results showed that DM intake and organic matter (OM) intake of all groups were not significantly different (P>0.05) while crude protein (CP) intake of cattle received OPFS mixed with 2, 4 and 6% molasses were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of 0% molasses. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake of cattle received OPFS with 2, 4 and 6% molasses were significantly higher (P<0.05) than cattle received OPFS of 0% molasses. However, digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF and total digestible nutrient of all groups were not significantly different (P>0.05) among treatments. Pack cell volume, blood urea nitrogen and glucose concentrations as well as ruminal pH and NH3-N and total volatile fatty acid from all groups were not significantly difference (P>0.05). Thus, OPFS mixed with 0 to 6% molasses could be used as roughage source for Thai native cattle, when supplemented with concentrate at 0.5% of BW, had no adverse effect on nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation process.