UTILIZATION OF MEXICAN SUNFLOWER LEAF MEAL-BASED DIETS BY PRE WEANED WEST AFRICAN DWARF LAMBS
Undernourishment in sheep has been reported to manifest among lambs in form of reduced birthweight, retarded growth rate and increased mortality (Ogunwole, 2004; Adu and Olaloku, 1979). Oyedipe (1981) further explained that nutrition of growing ruminants is one of the single most important factor influencing growth, onset of puberty, litter size and survival rates of the young ones. A departure from the growth of lambs is likely to set in as from the third week of life when the milk yield of ewe starts to decline (Adu, 1975). It is clear from the research findings that early weaned lambs cannot survive on pasture alone. In view of this, the provision of creep feeding would be necessary as soon as the lambs are able to nibble on solid foods. Such provision should be palatable, nutritionally adequate, low in fibre and highly digestible. In addition to the enhanced growth of lambs, creep feeding encourages rumen development, a condition that increases the subsistence of the lambs on solid foods (Adu, 1975). Wheat bran (WB) in Nigeria about 15 – 20 years ago had little or no value but presently, due to high cost of conventional energy sources, population explosion and poor protein intake in the country, WB in Nigeria presently is a major source of energy for ruminants. In order to reduce the high cost of production of beef, milk and other products, there is need for replacement of some percentages of WB with Mexican sunflower leaf meal (MSLM). Mexican sunflower (MS) is readily available in Nigeria, although, it has a long history of existence but it has always been considered as a weed and often time, it’s left to rot on the farm after weeding and sometime burnt. Apart from the environmental pollution associated with burning, it also contributes ISSN 1330-7142 UDK = 636.084.1:636.38
Evaluation of Mexican sunflower (Helianthus annus l) leaf meal as a feed ingredient in shaver brown pullets.
Abstract The use of alternative nutritional sources is an important topic for animal production such as poultry. This study examined the effect of replacing soybean meal with sunflower leaf meal in the diet of laying shaver brown pullets. A total of 30 laying birds were assigned to three treatments of 0% (as control group), 10% and 15% MSFLM inclusion. Four eggs per replicate were randomly taken for three consecutive days at two weeks interval for five times, and 18 weeks individuals were selected after 40 days of experimental time. External parameters of the eggs (egg weight, egg length, egg breadth and egg shape index, shell thickness), and body parameters (Final body weight, weight gain), feed intake and hen day production were measured. For egg length, egg breadth and shell thickness showed significant difference (p< 0.05) in from the control birds. Final body weight, weight gain, feed intake and hen day production showed comparable results with values from eggs of birds on control diet. The study revealed the ability of birds to easily utilize the nutrients in the protein sources. MSFLM utilization up to 15% in pullets’ diet revealed no detrimental effect on the performance of the laying birds and the external qualities of eggs produced.
The status of FAO and codex alimentarius developments on vegetable proteins
The FAO is interested in increasing world protein supplies both by advising and assisting developing countries to increase their production of staple foods and by encouraging the development of technology to produce protein concentrates both from vegetable and animal sources to supplement diets which are low in protein content. Recent revisions of the amount of protein required in the diet in relation to total per capita energy requirements and the difficulties encountered in introducing novel foods into established dietary patterns has led FAO to concentrate on increased agricultural productions in developing countries as the primary means of combatting malnutrition. In the meantime, in North America and Europe, advances in the technology of processing vegetable proteins has given highly acceptable products simulating meats which are being used as meat extenders and meat analogues. The consequent increase in vegetable protein production has revealed a need for international, agreement on standardization, and it has been agreed that this will be undertaken by the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards’ Programme. The program operates chiefly through the Codex Alimentarius, Commission, an international governmental body, the purpose of which is to protect consumers against health hazard in food and against fraud. The Commission, which has 116 member governments, controls an intensive program of work covering the composition, labeling, additives, contaminants, pesticide residues, hygiene, sampling and analysis aspects of foods and has established a procedure which allows member governments ample opportunity to reach agreement on food standards and to accept them for incorporation into national legislation. The Codex Commission, at its 12th session, decided to establish a Committee on Vegetable Proteins with the following terms of references: “to elaborate definitions and world-wide standards for vegetable protein products deriving from soybeams, cottonseed, groundnuts, cereals and from other vegetable sources as they come into use for human consumption, and to elaborate guidelines on utilization of such vegetable protein products in the food supply system, on nutritional requirements and safety on labeling and on other aspects as may seem appropriate.” The question of which country will host the Committee is still under discussion.