Carcass yield, organ response and cost/benefit evaluation of West African dwarf goats fed yellow root Cassava Peel-Centrosema leaf meal based diets

Abstract

Thirty six individually housed West African dwarf (WAD) goats of about 8 – 10 months of age and averaging 7.19kg were used for this study. The effect of different levels of yellow root cassava peel - centrosema leaf meal supplementary diet on the carcass yield, organ response and cost/benefit evaluation of WAD goats fed wilted Panicum maximum basal diet. Four supplementary diets designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain 0, 10, 20 and 30% Centrosema pubescens leaf meal, respectively in addition to other feedstuffs. The goats were randomly divided into four groups of nine animals each with three goats constituting a replicate. Each group was assigned to one of the four diets in a completely randomized design for 97 days. Data on proximate composition showed that yellow root cassava peel - centrosema leaf meal enhanced the nutrient profile of the diets. Results on carcass and organ characteristics showed significantly (p<0.05) improved warm carcass (6.34kg), dressing percentage (54.42%) and loin (22.11%) for T4 goats while bone to lean ratio (0.28%), end (19.30%) liver (2.11%), kidney (0.43%), lungs (1.72), heart (0.70%) and spleen (0.19%) weights were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the control group.Cost per kg, feed cost/weight gain and cost/benefit ratio were influenced (p<0.05) withT4 goats having better income of benefit of ^3.97 for every ^1nvested. It is concluded that yellow root cassava peel - centrosema leaf meal is rich in essential nutrients and therefore suitable for inclusion in goat diets at level 30% for better carcass yield, organ characteristics and return on investment.