Abstract

This study was carried out to determine performance, digestibility, storability and microbiological assay of pelletized and un-pelletized cassava based diets. Four experimental diets were used as follows: T₁, T₃contained 0 g/kg foliage with 600 g/kg peels each while T₂ and T₄ contained 200 g/kg foliage with 400 g/kg peels. T₁, T₂ were pelletized, T₃, T₄ un-pelletized. Other ingredients (g/kg) that made up each of the treatments were as follows: Cassava sieviate, 205; molasses, 100; sulphur, 3; corn bran, 80; salt, 7; vitamins/minerals Premix, 5. Twelve (12) Muturu calves were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks to monitor feed intake, digestibility and haematological indices. Media used were Salmonella shigella agar, potato dextrose agar, manitol salt agar and eosine methylene blue agar. Samples (1 g) were taken at intervals of 0, 21, 42 and 63 days for microbial analysis. Data generated were subjected to one way analysis of variance using completely randomized design (CRD). There were significant (P<0.05) differences in dry matter (DM) intake, body weight changes, nutrient digestibility and haematological analysis. No visible colour change, caking and mould growth was observed. Most of the bacteria and fungi isolated (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter spp., Mucour spp., Aspergillus spp.) were persistent throughout the storage period. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference between microbial profile and total viable counts of the diets forms. Pelletizing had no effect on spoilage compared to the microbial load with that of un-pelletized feed form. Thus, feeding animals with the un-pelletized feed either readily or after storage is recommended as the cost of pelletizing increased total cost of production.

Key words: Cattle, cassava, pelletizing, storability, microbes.