Chemical Composition, Intake, and Digestibility of Native and Improved Perennial Grasses and Crop Residues of Burkina Faso

Abstract

In Burkina Faso, native and improved forage species and crop residues are widely used as feed resources for ruminant livestock. Accurate information on their chemical composition, digestibility, and voluntary intake is essential for balanced and cost-effective ration formulation. This study, conducted from 2021 to 2022 at the INERA research station with Djallonké sheep, evaluated the nutritional quality of key forage resources: Brachiaria cv. Mulato II, Panicum maximum cvs. Zuri and C1, Andropogon gayanus, maize and millet straws, and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) haulms. Four trials were conducted using six intact adult male sheep per forage. For each trial, the animals were fed ad libitum during a 14-day adaptation period, followed by a 7–8-day measurement phase for intake and digestibility. The chemical composition of each forage was analyzed by NIR spectrometry using ILRI-validated equations for tropical forages and crop residues for Burkina Faso. Protein contents in the hays and straws ranged from 3.81% to 5.72%, with fiber contents of 71.76–78.16%. Forages harvested at heading and preserved as hay had higher nutrient levels than straws, while improved green fodder protein contents exceeded 7%. Peanut (14.75%) and cowpea (14.03%) haulms showed the highest protein concentrations. Intake was greatest for Panicum maximum cv. C1 (56.78 g/kg BW0.75, p < 0.05), with legume haulms (81.10 gDM/kgBW0.75) consumed more than green fodder (47.65 gDM/kgBW0.75). Digestibility was highest with peanut haulms (62.72%). These findings provide updated insights to strengthen Burkina Faso’s feed database and guide balanced livestock ration formulation.