Assessing the nutritive value of fruit and vegetable residues as ruminant feed

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the nutritive value of summer fruits and vegetable residues (FVR) as ruminant feed. Samples of FVR were collected from the central terminal of Karaj in diff erent summer months and homogenized before being analyzed for chemical composition. In situ degradability was determined, as were in vitro and in vivo digestibility. Th e results of chemical composition analysis for a period of 3 months showed significant diff erences in terms of dry matter (DM), Pb, and Mn contents. The higher Mn content was more than the allowance level established for livestock feeding. Although the in vitro digestibility coefficients were not significantly different, in situ degradability showed lower values for DM in August. This can be attributed to a higher ash content resulting in lower in vivo digestibility (56.22%). The findings indicate that there may be problems if FVR is used as a single and intact ruminant feed; however, FVR may still be regarded as a cheap source of feed aft er treatment. © TÜBİTAK.