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Studies on the Improvement of the Nutritive Value and Utilization of Palm Kernel Cake as a Feed Resource for Ruminants
Dissertation Abstract:
Utilization of palm kernel cake (PKC) as the principal feed for ruminants was investigated in four studies. The study on the nutritive value showed that PKC-solvent extracted (PKC-S) and PKC-expeller pressed (PKC-E) contained similar amounts of OM, CP, CF, and ADL. PKC-E had higher DM, EE, and GE but lower NFE, NDF, ADF, and shell contents. Amounts of Ca, P, Cu and Zn were similar in both types of PKC, but Na was higher and Mg was lower in PKC-S. Ruminal pH, NH3-N concentration, molar proportions of VFA and passage rates of liquid and small digesta particles in cattle fed with either PKC-S of PKC-E were similar. Total VFA concentration was higher in cattle fed with PKC-S. Effective DM and OM degradabilities were lower in animals fed with PKC-S but degradation rates were similar. PKC-E contained more soluble fractions than PKC-S. CP of PKC-S was more soluble but its effective degradability and degradation rate were similar to that of PKC-E.
The study on the effects of formaldehyde treatments on CP degradability of both types of PKC showed that CP degradability decreased with increasing levels of formaldehyde. Acid-pepsin digestibility showed no difference in CP digestibility among untreated and formaldehyde-treated PKC up to 2.5g/100g CP.
The study on the effects of PKC and formaldehyde treatment on the performance and nutrient utilization of cattle showed that feed intake was lower in cattle fed with PKC-E but growth rate and feed per gain ratios did not differ from those fed with PKC-S. Formaldehyde-treated (2g/100g CP) PKC gave poorer growth rates and feed conversion ratios when compared to untreated PKC. Types of PKC and formaldehyde treatment did not affect the nutrient digestibility but PKC-E gave lower N retention. Formaldehyde had no effect on N retention.
In the final study, lambs fed with PKC + 15 percent grass showed improvement in intakes and growth rates. Urea at either 0.5 or 1.0 percent had no effect on feed intakes and feed conversion ratios. However, growth rates of lambs fed with PKC + 0.5 percent urea were higher compared with other groups. Lambs fed with PKC plus 15 percent grass and 0.5 percent urea had the highest intake and growth rate. Carcass traits were not affected by urea but grass supplementation reduced dressing percent and kidney fat of lambs.