Productive and physiological response of small ruminants fed Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and cassava by-products in their diets: A review
Jiwuba P. C., Jiwuba L. C.
Abstract: The heavy demand for conventional feedstuffs like maize, sorghum, soya bean, and groundnut
meal by industries, humans and animals has led to hike in their prices with resultant high cost of livestock
feeds. This therefore has necessitated the search and utilization of alternative non-competitive
feed resources in other to partially or totally replace the expensive cereals and legume grains in small
ruminant diets. The potential of many roots and tubers have not been fully known in sheep and goat
nutrition. The identification, processing, incorporation and use of roots in sheep and goat diets will
go a long way in reducing the dependence on conventional feedstuffs. Cassava is a tropical crop that
is majorly cultivated for its starchy root. Its by-products like cassava peel, cassava leaf meal, cassava
root sievate, cassava foliage, etc have been reported to be high in energy, digestible fibre, protein, vitamins
and minerals and could contribute significantly to the nutritional needs of small ruminants.
The leaf meal has moderate protein values with amino acid profile similar to soybeans. However, cassava
has been implicated with high levels of cyanogenic glucosides, which produce cyanide (HCN)
toxin that are harmful to sheep and goats. Efforts have been made to processed cassava and remove
toxic substances by sun drying, milling, ensiling and solid state fermentation with great success.
Research to date has studied the effects of cassava and its by-products on physiology and productive
performance of sheep and goat. The use of cassava in sheep and goat diets and their effects on blood
chemistry and haematology have been reported. This review covers the nutrient composition of cassava
and some of its by-products and their effects on growth, carcass indices, organ weight and blood
constituents of sheep and goats.
meal by industries, humans and animals has led to hike in their prices with resultant high cost of livestock
feeds. This therefore has necessitated the search and utilization of alternative non-competitive
feed resources in other to partially or totally replace the expensive cereals and legume grains in small
ruminant diets. The potential of many roots and tubers have not been fully known in sheep and goat
nutrition. The identification, processing, incorporation and use of roots in sheep and goat diets will
go a long way in reducing the dependence on conventional feedstuffs. Cassava is a tropical crop that
is majorly cultivated for its starchy root. Its by-products like cassava peel, cassava leaf meal, cassava
root sievate, cassava foliage, etc have been reported to be high in energy, digestible fibre, protein, vitamins
and minerals and could contribute significantly to the nutritional needs of small ruminants.
The leaf meal has moderate protein values with amino acid profile similar to soybeans. However, cassava
has been implicated with high levels of cyanogenic glucosides, which produce cyanide (HCN)
toxin that are harmful to sheep and goats. Efforts have been made to processed cassava and remove
toxic substances by sun drying, milling, ensiling and solid state fermentation with great success.
Research to date has studied the effects of cassava and its by-products on physiology and productive
performance of sheep and goat. The use of cassava in sheep and goat diets and their effects on blood
chemistry and haematology have been reported. This review covers the nutrient composition of cassava
and some of its by-products and their effects on growth, carcass indices, organ weight and blood
constituents of sheep and goats.
Keywords: blood characteristics; body weight gain; Cassava; feed intake; goats; sheep
Date published: 2020-10-09
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