Evaluation of palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis J.) as a supplement for tropically adapted sheep consuming Pennisetum purpureum

The biofuel industry in Ecuador, and utilization of African Palm (Elaeis guineensis J.) has increased. Consequently, availability of byproducts such as palm kernel meal (PKM), have increased and may be an option as a supplement due to its nutritive value. The objective of this experiment was to dete...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of animal science 2018-12, Vol.96, p.471-472
Main Authors: Alava, E, Alava-Hidalgo, E, Urquizo, F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodiesel fuels
Biofuels
Body weight
Byproducts
Data collection
Digestibility
Dry matter
Elaeis guineensis
Feeds
Grasses
Kernels
Nutritive value
Ovis aries
Pennisetum purpureum
Sheep
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Summary:The biofuel industry in Ecuador, and utilization of African Palm (Elaeis guineensis J.) has increased. Consequently, availability of byproducts such as palm kernel meal (PKM), have increased and may be an option as a supplement due to its nutritive value. The objective of this experiment was to determine feed intake and apparent dry matter digestibility of sheep fed Pennisetum purpureum grass supplemented with varying amounts of PKM. In a complete 3 x 3 Latin square, nine uncastrated Dorper crossbred male sheep with an initial bodyweight (23.4 ± 1.8 kg) were fed experimental diets that were formulated to contain no PKM (TRT 1), 0.5% of BW (TRT 2), or 1.0% of BW (TRT 3). Sheep were fed concentrate at 08:00 h and were given ad libitum access to green chop Pennisetum purpureum grass and water throughout the day. Sheep were housed in crates (100 x 40 x 80 cm) throughout the experimental period. Each period consisted of 12 days of adaptation with 5 days of data collection. A substitution of supplement for forage was observed, where sheep that received no PKM had greater forage DM intake (p < 0.05, 0.82 kg) compared to those that were supplemented (TRT 2 = 0.63 kg, TRT 3 = 0.60 kg), which were similar (p > 0.05). There was a cubic effect (p < 0.05) on the apparent total dry matter digestibility (TRT 1 = 0.62, TRT 2 = 0.59, TRT 3 = 0.62). In conclusion, inclusion of PKC up to 1% of body weight in tropically adapted sheep can be utilized as a potential supplement to Pennisetum purpureum grass with no adverse effects on apparent DM digestibility.
ISSN:0021-8812
1525-3163