Effect of Feeding Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Vines Silage on Performance and Milk Production of Nubian Goats

摘要

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding sweet potato vines silage on performance and milk production of Nubian goats. Twenty seven newly giving birth lactating Nubian goats at about 2 years of age were used in a 3x3x3 arrangement. Group A were fed on Abu-70 variety of Sorghum vulgare silage , group B fed on sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas ) vines silage and group C fed on clitoria (Clitoria ternate) silage. Results showed that treatments only significantly affect (p 0.05 ) due to treatment effects .Group B performed a heavier final weight (28.45±6.67 kg) and weight gain (3.82±0.72) and the best feed conversion ratio. Treatment effect was highly significant (p 0.05) different among the three treatments. The daily dry matter intake was higher for group B (16.22 kg), group C is the lowest (5.19 kg). According to the results obtained Sweet potato leaves can either be fed fresh or ensiled, as the preservation method had revealed no effect on its nutritive value. The nutritional value of sweet potato roots and vines are improved through the silage process. Results obtained from this study indicated that Sweet potato vines silage has a potential for improvement of milk production.