Milk Production and Blood Health in Ettawa Crossbred Goats with the Substitution of Cassava (Manihot Utilissima) Leaves in Feed
Milk Production and Blood Health in Ettawa Crossbred Goats with the Substitution of Cassava (Manihot Utilissima) Leaves in Feed
Imelda Siska1,4, Ambo Ako2*, Asmuddin Natsir3, Renny Fatmyah Utamy2
ABSTRACT
Cassava leaves have great potential as an alternative to conventional forages due to their high protein content. However, their use is constrained by anti-nutritional factors such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and tannins, which require proper processing. This study aims to assess and examine the processes of haymaking and activated charcoal soaking to optimize the use of cassava leaves as a sustainable substitute for green forage for Ettawa crossbred goats in dry and rainy seasons. A completely randomized design was employed with three treatments: 0% cassava leaves + 100% green forage (T1), 30% cassava leaf hay + 70% green forage (T2), and 30% activated charcoal-treated cassava leaves + 70% green forage (T3). Each treatment has five replications. Parameters measured included dry matter (DM) intake, milk production, production efficiency, hematology profiles and milk fat, protein, lactose, solids not-fat (SNF), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and tannin levels. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance in SPSS and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was performed to identify significant differences. The results indicated that DM intake, HCN and tannin levels in blood and milk were significantly higher (p<0.05) in goats fed with T1. Conversely, milk production, production efficiency and milk protein and lactose levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in goats fed with T2 and T3. Thus, substituting 30% of green forage with cassava leaves, either as hay (T2) in the dry season or activated charcoal-treated leaves (T3) in the rainy season, can enhance milk production and production efficiency, hematology profiles and milk quality in Ettawa crossbred goats without adverse effects.
Keywords | Blood health, Cassava leaves, Ettawa crossbred goats, Feed, Milk production
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