Potential of farm-rejected banana fruit (var. Cavendish) as feed for feedlot cattle

I. Sukri, M. W. Zahari and P. Awis

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the nutritive value of farm-rejected banana (var. Cavendish) fruit as ruminant feed. Proximate analysis showed that the fruit was low in protein, fibre and macro-mineral contents. However, banana fruit had fairly high energy content and it was a good source of trace minerals. Results of the feeding trial showed that the inclusion of banana fruit had a positive effect on the growth of Brahman x Kedah-Kelantan (Bramas) bull calves. It increased the dry matter digestibility of the total diet which in turn resulted in higher feed intake. The bulls showed better average daily gains when fed diets containing banana fruit (especially at 50% and 75% inclusion). Even though the banana fruit diets were inferior in feed conversion ratio to the control, they were more favourable in terms of feed cost per kilogram weight gain, especially with the 75% banana fruit diet.

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