The evaluation of nutrient quality of ramie leaves silage and hay in complete mixed ration for Etawah-Crossbreed goat using in vitro technique

Abstract

A research have been conducted to evaluate the effect of ramie leaves silage and hay in Etawah Crossbreed (PE) goat complete mixed ration (CMR) on nutrient content, fermentability, and digestibility by in vitro. There were seven CMR dietary treatments i.e. P0 (control ration) = 50% napier grass + 50% concentrate, P1 = 30% napier grass + 20% ramie leaves silage + 50% concentrate, P2 = 20% napier grass + 30% ramie leaves silage + 50% concentrate, P3 = 10% napier grass + 40% ramie leaves silage + 50% concentrate, P4 = 30% napier grass + 20% ramie leaves hay + 50% concentrate, P5 = 20% napier grass + 30% ramie leaves hay + 50% concentrate, and P6 = 10% napier grass + 40% hay + 50% concentrate. Both ramie leaves silage and hay increased the CMR digestibility and nutrient content, except the crude fiber. Control ration had a higher crude fiber than silage and hay. The CMR which contain ramie leaves silage (40%) had higher nutrient digestibilities compared to the other rations. Rations which were added with ramie leaves silage (P1 – P3) had a higher VFA concentration compared to the other rations. Ammonia concentration of rations added with preserved ramie leaves were lower than control, however ammonia concentration in all treatments were in optimal range. Acetate proportion was higher in CMR which contain ramie leaves hay than CMR which contain silage and the nutrients digestibilities were lower. Adding ramie leaves silage in rations resulted higher propionate and butyrate proportion than control and rations which added with ramie leaves hay. Either silage or hay ramie leaves can be used up to 40% as Napier grass substitute in the PE CMR.