Feed Resources and Seasonal Nutrient Composition of Predominant Forages for Small Ruminant Production in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun state, Nigeria

Small ruminant production is largely in the hand of traditional handlers settled in rural areas. Iwo Local Government Area is well noted for small ruminant production. However, there is paucity of information on the feed resources availability in quality and quantity at varying seasons for small ruminant production in the study area. Hence, two studies were conducted in study area to investigate the feed resources utilized by handlers at different seasons and evaluate the nutrient composition of predominant forages available for sheep and goat production in the area. Study I: Information on herd size and composition, feeds, feeding method, water supply and housing for small ruminant production were elicited using structured questionnaire. Study II: Samples of predominant forages in the area were collected once per season and analysed for the nutrient composition using standard procedures. It was found that the male respondents reared sheep especially ram than goat while the females took to goat particularly doe (female goat). Small ruminants in the area grazed on natural grasslands, most farmers supplied water (87.2%) from well (76.4%) to their small ruminants but provided no housing facilities (92.0%). The occasional feed offered to sheep and goats in wet season was mainly kitchen wastes (46.2%) while in dry season, kitchen wastes (25.7%), cassava and its by-products (25.7%) as well as corn gluten (25.1%). The predominant grass, legumes and shrubs/forbs that were available in wet season were absent in dry season. However, the browse plants were found to be ever-green and available all year round in the study area. The proximate composition in wet season showed that, dry matter ranged from 57.8% in Tephrosia bracteolata to 85.7% in Ficus thonningii while the crude protein ranged from 6.20% (Andropogon gayanus) to 23.6% (Ficus vogelli). The crude fibre contents of the forages ranged from 18.5% in Ficus polita to 47.8% in Tephrosia bracteolata while ether extract was from 7.50% to 18.4% in Andropogon gayanus and Ficus polita respectively. Ash content ranged between 7.10% and 17.1% in Andropogon gayanus and Ficus exasperata respectively. There were significant differences in all the measured parameters among the forages. The observed values for proximate composition of the browses obtained in dry season were similar to the results seen in wet season except for the fact that crude fibre and ash contents increased a little and crude protein and ether extract reduced especially for ficus species under consideration. In conclusion, farmers in the study area should improve on some of their production facilities like housing and feeding. Also, there is need for continual supplementation of feed supplied to small ruminants in dry season to augment the insufficient nutrients. Keywords: Feed resources, wet season, dry season, proximate compositio