Chemical Composition and Condensed Tannin Content of Major Livestock Feeds from Borana Rangeland, Southern Ethiopia

Studies on available feed resources and their nutritional values are important. This study aimed to investigate chemical composition and Condensed Tannin (CT) content of major feed resources in Moyale district of Borona rangeland, southern Ethiopia. Samples were collected from major feed resources: five browse species (Acacia brevispica, Acacia mellifera, Commiphora Africana, Dichrostachys cinerea and Grewia tembensis), five grasses (Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri, Digitaria milanjiana, Eragrostis capitulifera and Panicum maximum), mixed natural pasture, two crop residues (maize stover and haricot bean straw), wheat bran and two herbaceous legumes (Indigofera volkensii and Commelina africana). Samples were analyzed for ash, Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Neutral-Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid-Detergent Fiber (ADF) and CT. There were variations in chemical composition and CT of the investigated feeds. For the browse species, CP (15.50 -19.08%), NDF (55.38-65.96%) and CT (1.32-24.71%) were found. For the grasses, CP (7.34-8.78%), NDF (67.20-76.41%) and CT (0.86-2.07%); and for mixed natural pasture, CP (11.28%), NDF (71.50%), and CT (1.01%) contents were recorded. For the crop residues, maize stover CP (3.13%) and NDF (73.55%), and haricot bean straw CP (4.74%) and NDF (70.03%) were found. The CP and NDF contents of wheat bran were 18.06% and 45.45%, respectively. For the legume forage species, CP (17.06%), NDF (57.30%) and CT (2.04%) for Indigofera volkensii, and CP (11.32%), NDF (73.03%) and CT (0.60%) for Commelina Africana were recorded. In conclusion, the relatively high CP content of the browse species can be used as protein supplement to low-quality feeds during the dry season. Furthermore, the CT content of the browses (except Dichrostachys cinerea) and legume forages was in the level that promotes positive rumen effects. However, further studies entailing more browse species, detailed nutrient analysis, and involving animal feeding trials should be carried out for better screening of potential feeds in the study area.