Cassava in animal feeds is a game-changer, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional feed sources, and boosting livestock production.
Manioc plant is a promising ingredient in livestock feeds because of its high starch content, low cost, and tolerant to various climates making it an attractive alternative to traditional grains.
In this article, we will discuss the potential of the cassava mandioca plant as a substitute for other sources of livestock feed and its potential in jacking livestock production with cost-effective processing.
Key Takeaways
- Cassava is a promising ingredient for animal feeds due to its high starch content, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability.
- Cassava roots can replace grains like maize, improving livestock energy sources. While its protein content is lower, it can be balanced with protein-rich grains.
- Cassava leaves and stems have important roles in animal feeds, providing essential nutrients and promoting growth.
- Incorporating cassava in animal feeds enhances digestion, improves growth and performance, and reduces reliance on traditional feed sources.
- Entrepreneurs can key into the production of cassava livestock feeds and improve their economic status.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Cassava as a Substitute for Livestock Feeds
- Benefits of Using Cassava in Animal Feeds
- Challenges and Limitations of Using Cassava in Animal Feeds
- Scientific Studies on the Efficacy of Cassava in Animal Feeds
- Entrepreneurship Opportunity of Cassava Animal Feeds
- Final Words from Cassava Pathway
Cassava as a Substitute for Livestock Feeds
Cassava can be a better substitute for traditional livestock feeds like maize as it is rich in carbohydrates, providing a good source of energy for animals.
While its protein content is lower than those of maize and wheat, cassava can be combined with grains that are rich in protein to balance the diet.
Manioc also contains vitamins and minerals in macro quantities, it can also be supplemented.
The fibrous cassava root can be of great benefit to ruminant digestion of livestock.
Let’s take a closer look:
Cassava Roots
The yuca root can be used to replace grains like maize in the formulation of animal feeds.
According to studies, cassava root can replace maize in animal feeds like poultry, cow, sheep, and goat without having a detrimental effect on animal quality and production.
The setback that has been reported is cassava root’s high moisture content which can make storage and other production logistics a burden.
But this can be overcome by proper cassava processing into chips and pellets for easy handling while also reducing toxicity.
Related: Introduction to Cassava Byproducts
Cassava Leaves
Cassava leaves, apart from serving as a good source of vitamins and proteins for humans, it also provide those to livestock.
Cassava leaves can be fed fresh to cattle, sheep, and goats, and alternatively, can be dried or combined to have a balanced animal food.
Also, manioc leaves improve growth and the digestibility of nutrients when supplemented with grass-legume forages.
However, the setback with cassava leaves is the toxicity of tannins and hydrocyanic acid which can be removed if processed properly.
Cassava Stems
Cassava stems are useful in animal feeds especially for ruminants – cows, goats, and sheep.
They are good sources of fiber and substitute for grass-based diets for the ruminants.
They can be served fresh, dried, or ensiled. However, their low nutritional value is its drawback when laid side-by-side with other sources of animal feed.
Manioc stems are high in fiber and low in protein, energy, and other essential nutrients which again, requires it to be supplemented when it is used as a sole feed base for livestock.
Proper supplementation is required when using cassava stems as the sole or primary feed.
Cassava Peels
Cassava peels, a byproduct of cassava processing, can be a useful feed component for energy and fiber for livestock, especially, poultry and fish.
Recent innovations have focused on developing methods to effectively dry and process cassava peels into high-quality animal feed ingredients, similar to the processing of cassava roots into gari, a popular staple food in West Africa.
When properly dried and processed, cassava peels can contain up to 3,000 kcal/kg of dry matter, making them a cheaper alternative to grains like maize.
This can help alleviate the high cost of animal feed, a major constraint to livestock production in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
Also Read: How to Produce Cassava Flour
Benefits of Using Cassava in Animal Feeds
Since the demand for animal products keeps rising, it is a good idea to find cheaper animal feed sources to beat the rising cost of feeds.
Beaming the light on cassava as an ingredient for this venture, here are the benefits of cassava plant as an animal feed ingredient:
1. Cost-effective Source of Energy
Cassava is an efficient energy source for animals, providing carbohydrates as starch.
It is a cheaper alternative to corn and wheat, allowing farmers to reduce feed costs without compromising nutritional value by substituting a portion of these ingredients with cassava.
2. Improves Digestion
Cassava is a cheaper feed alternative with unique nutrients that enhance animal gut health.
Its fiber promotes a healthy microbiome, while its low glycemic index provides steady energy release, benefiting animal digestion and nutrition.
3. Enhances Animal Growth and Performance
Adding cassava into animal feeds improves growth and performance.
Studies show higher weight gains, better feed conversion, and enhanced meat quality, due to cassava’s well-balanced nutrient profile.
4. Reduces Dependence on Traditional Feed Sources
With the growing global population, animal product demand rises, straining traditional feed sources.
Cassava incorporation reduces reliance on corn and wheat, ensuring stable supply and sustainable animal production by diversifying feed ingredients.
Challenges and Limitations of Using Cassava in Animal Feeds
Cassava’s potential as animal feed is limited by toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, and processing challenges, which must be neutralized to be accepted by all, especially in regions where cassava it is abundantly produced.
Let’s take a look:
Toxicity Issues
Cassava’s natural cyanogenic glycosides release toxic HCN, harming livestock.
Proper processing like slicing and drying is required to reduce HCN levels and make cassava safe for animal feeding.
Nutritional Deficiencies
While cassava is rich in starch and fiber, its low protein, vitamin and mineral deficiencies compared to maize make it inferior as feed. Supplementing with protein sources corrects the nutrient imbalance.
Handling and Processing Challenges
The high moisture content of fresh cassava and dried fibrous nature pose handling challenges.
Solar drying reduces moisture, and extends shelf life, but is labor-intensive, requiring appropriate but expensive equipment, especially for cassava farmers in rural areas.
Scientific Studies on the Efficacy of Cassava in Animal Feeds
Many scientific studies have examined the viability of adding cassava into animal feeds, and the results provide impressive insights for farmers and feed producers.
One important finding is that cassava can effectively substitute up to 50% of maize in poultry diets without jeopardizing bird performance.
But there is a caveat – proper processing of the cassava is the game-changer in reducing its toxicity for animal consumption.
Drying, boiling, and fermentation are effective ways to reduce the toxicity of cassava.
In cattle feeding, cassava products can be the primary source of calorie, especially in regions where there is limited quality forage.
Experiments have shown that a concentrate consisting of 85% cassava root meal, 6% molasses, 8% urea, and 1% mineral supplement can effectively supplement tropical forages and meet the nutrient requirements of cattle.
Recent studies on the use of cassava leaves and chips in guinea fowl diets have shown promising results too, with no negative impact on carcass quality or feed conversion, and a reduction in feed cost per kilogram of live weight gain.
Potential for Further Research and Development
One key area for future research is optimizing the use of cassava in livestock and poultry production.
While studies have shown that cassava can substitute up to 50% of maize in poultry diets, there is still room for improvement.
Researchers should perfect the formulation of the right diets for various types of livestock using available information, and conducting trials on farms to have real-time insights to benefit farmers and feed millers.
Also, improving the protein content of cassava and its by-products through inoculation and microbial means.
This could help overcome the poor protein content of cassava, which is a limiting factor in its use as animal feed.
Adoption and Scaling Up of Cassava Feed Technology
To realize the potential of cassava in animal feeds, adopting and scaling up cassava feed technologies should be a priority.
Introduce the right technologies and machinery for processing cassava products, and not relying on manpower will help meet non-ruminant livestock’s nutritional needs.
Also, awareness programs by extension services should enlighten smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs on the potential and economic benefits of using cassava for livestock feed.
This will create the environment needed for large-scale production and processing of quality and standard cassava feed products.
Sustainability and Environmental Impacts of Cassava Animal Feeds
Using cassava in animal feeds is sustainable as it is drought-resistant and can outlive harsh weather conditions and thrive on average soils.
This makes it a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to maize.
In another angle, increased use of cassava in livestock feed can generate employment opportunities for youth, leading to poverty alleviation and contributing to the overall sustainability of the animal feed industry and its positive impact on local communities.
Entrepreneurship Opportunity of Cassava Animal Feeds
The processing of cassava peels into animal feed is one of the cash points in the cassava value chain.
It presents an entrepreneurial opportunity in Africa and other cassava-producing regions.
Simple mechanized equipment can be used to efficiently remove water and contaminants from cassava peels, converting them into high-quality wet cakes or dry mashes suitable for feeding livestock, poultry, and fish.
This technology allows for large volumes of cassava peels to be processed into affordable, nutritious animal feed.
Scaling up mechanized cassava peel processing creates new income streams for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses while reducing environmental pollution from peel waste.
With the growing demand for affordable animal feed in Africa, this represents a promising business model for entrepreneurs to pursue.
Final Words from Cassava Pathway
Cassava has shown great potential as a cost-effective and nutritious ingredient in animal feeds, offering an alternative to traditional grains.
With its ability to improve digestion, enhance animal growth, reduce dependence on traditional feed sources, and its sustainable and environmentally friendly nature, cassava presents a promising solution for the challenges faced in livestock production.
While there are challenges to overcome, further research, adoption of technology, and awareness programs can help scale up the use of cassava in animal feeds, benefiting both farmers and the animal feed industry.
Citations:
https://pigtrop.cirad.fr/sp/temas/nutricion_animal/processing_methods_of_cassava_leaves
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/cassava-as-animal-feed-in-ghana-past-present-and-future
https://www.fao.org/3/X6512E/X6512E27.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941045
https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/com/technologies?categories%5B%5D=Animal+feed+production
