Growth and profitability of Arsi-Bale rams using Brachiaria mutica hay and strategic concentrate supplementation

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing <i>B. mutica</i> hay with graded levels of a concentrate mixture of noug seed cake and wheat bran in 49.5:49.5 ratio with 1% salt on intake, digestibility, growth performance, and economic return in yearling Arsi-Bale rams. Twenty-eight lambs, averaging one year of age and an initial weight of 16.79 ± 1.74 kg, were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments. The Rams were fed a basal diet of <i>B. mutica</i> hay supplemented with 100 g, 200 g, 300 g, and 400 g of concentrate per day, designed as treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven blocks. The results showed improvements (<i>P</i> <i><</i> 0.05) in dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) with increasing concentrate levels. Rams fed T3 and T4 exhibited the highest body weight gain (102.6 and 108.4, respectively), though differences between them were not statistically differed (<i>P</i> <i>></i> 0.05), suggesting 300 g as economically optimal level. The partial budget analysis revealed higher economic returns with moderate supplementation levels (200-300 g). In conclusion, supplementing <i>B. mutica</i> hay with 300 g of concentrate optimizes growth, and economic efficiency in Arsi-Bale lambs, providing a viable strategy for smallholder sheep production. Nonetheless, on-farm validation is necessary to tailor this strategy for different breeds and production environments, improving the sustainability of sheep feeding systems.