PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF SOME NATURALLY OCCURRING PASTURE SPECIES FED TO RUMINANTS IN ALIERO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the proximate compositions of some naturally occurring forages used as ruminant feed during the raining season of Aliero Local Government Area, Kebbi State. A total of seven (7) visits on fortnightly basis were done for the collection of the forage samples contained in sacks of
various sizes from hawkers at different locations within the town. Eight (8) pasture species were sampled from the sacks, comprising of four (4) grasses; Pennisetum pedicellatum, Mitracarpus hiristus, Eragrostis tremula and Digiteria alata, three (3) forbs and one (1) legume; Monechma ciliatum, Commelina banghalensis, Ipomoea kotschyana and Euphorbia convolvuloides, respectively and analyzed for their proximate compositions. All the parameters measured showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the treatments. Digitaria alata had the highest dry matter (99.00%) while the highest crude protein (11.93%), nitrogen free extract (52.07%), and ether extract (3.50%) were recorded for Euphorbia convolvuloides. Ipomoea kotschyana had the highest crude fiber (20.50%) and ash (11.50%). This study showed that mixture of forages in the diet of ruminants may optimize nutrients intake for growth and development.