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- Digestion of Dried Sago-based Diets in Sheep
Digestion of Dried Sago-based Diets in Sheep
Dissertation Abstract:
Sago (Metroxylon sagu Rott.) pith meal (SPM) can be used as an excellent energy feed for ruminant livestock because the pith contains high amount of starch and some indigenous fiber. However, there is a lack of information on the nutritive properties of SPM and effects of feeding SPM on the digestion parameters of ruminant animal.
The objectives of the study were to (1) to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of SPM; and (2) study the effects of feeding SPM-based diets on the growth performance of lambs and on digestibility of the diets, especially in relation to nutrient flows and microbial protein synthesis in sheep. The experimental diets used were SPM plus soya bean meal (Diet A), SPM plus soya bean meal and urea (Diet B), and SPM plus fishmeal and urea (Diet C).
The crude protein content of SPM was less than 2 percent, while the neutral detergent fiber (NDF), starch and gross energy (GE) contents on dry weight basis were 12.8 percent, 72.2 percent and 17.5 MJ/kg, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that SPM consisted mainly of starch granules, parenchyma cell walls, and vascular bundle fiber which were degraded in situ at different rates by the rumen microbes. The digestibility of organic dry matter (DOMD) was similar for all diets which averaged 77-78 percent, but the metabolisable (ME) and net energy for fattening (NEf) values were 10.4, 10.4, 11.0 MJ ME and 7.7, 7.7, 8.0 MJ NEf (p < .05) per kg of feed dry weight for the three diets, respectively. The performance responses of 21 lambs fed with the three diets showed that their final weights and average daily gains (ADG) were Diet A, 28.9 kg and 122 h; Diet B, 21.9 kg and 50 g; Diet C, 24.6 kg and 76 g (p < .05). The efficiencies of microbial protein synthesis measured in terms of g N/kg starch digested in the rumen for these respective diets were 81.3, 21.9 and 32.3 g (p < .10).
In conclusion, sago pith meal contains an energy value equivalent to maize grains but having additional benefits from the indigenous fiber, which are necessary for cellulolysis and roughage effect. To improve the efficiency of energy utilization from sago diets, ruminal pH depression due to rapid breakdown of starch need to be sufficiently controlled such as through proper feed processing, ration formulation, and feeding regimen.