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Local Feed Resources in Ruminants Nutrition

A Special Issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615) belonging to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 2779

Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture and Resources, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
Interests: rumen fermentation; dairy cows; phytonutrients; ruminant nutrition; tropical feed resources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Local feed resources in ruminant nutrition are essential components that provide farmers with sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional feed. These resources include agro-industrial by-products, wild fruits and various non-conventional feed sources, which are increasingly recognized for their potential to improve livestock health and productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. The importance of local feed resources has grown in light of challenges such as climate change, rising feed costs and food security concerns, making them a focal point for sustainable agricultural practices globally. Locally accessible innovative feed resources—such as native plants, agricultural by-products, food processing residues and agro-industrial wastes—offer sustainable alternatives for cattle feeding. The key challenge lies in systematically gathering and evaluating information on their practical application and potential benefits, especially in the context of global disruptions. Improving ruminant productivity by rumen fermentation manipulation, along with selective supplementing with high-quality local feed resources, can increase rumen efficiency and microbial ecology. By combining these materials that are available into animal diets, livestock performance may be considerably improved, production costs decreased and circular economy concepts advanced in the present era.

This Special Issue aims to compile research and reviews on various aspects of tropical feed resources, including but not limited to the improving and utilizing in different ruminant host species, new strategic used to contributing to the valorization by reduce the burned after harvested, plant secondary nutrients of tropical plant in particular tannin–saponin rich or phenolic compounds and approaches to manipulation and enhances rumen fermentation to mitigation of methane.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Pichad Khejornsart
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • rumen manipulation
  • tropical
  • ruminant productivity
  • local feeds
  • sustainability

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 510 KB  
Article
Chemical Composition, Intake, and Digestibility of Native and Improved Perennial Grasses and Crop Residues of Burkina Faso
by Gildas M. L. Yoda, Salimata Pousga, Nouhoun Zampaligré, Michel Kéré, Mohamed H. Assouma and Luc H. Dossa
Animals 2026, 16(15), 2368; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16152368 - 3 Aug 2026
Viewed by 365
Abstract
In Burkina Faso, native and improved forage species and crop residues are widely used as feed resources for ruminant livestock. Accurate information on their chemical composition, digestibility, and voluntary intake is essential for balanced and cost-effective ration formulation. This study, conducted from 2021 [...] Read more.
In Burkina Faso, native and improved forage species and crop residues are widely used as feed resources for ruminant livestock. Accurate information on their chemical composition, digestibility, and voluntary intake is essential for balanced and cost-effective ration formulation. This study, conducted from 2021 to 2022 at the INERA research station with Djallonké sheep, evaluated the nutritional quality of key forage resources: Brachiaria cv. Mulato II, Panicum maximum cvs. Zuri and C1, Andropogon gayanus, maize and millet straws, and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) haulms. Four trials were conducted using six intact adult male sheep per forage. For each trial, the animals were fed ad libitum during a 14-day adaptation period, followed by a 7–8-day measurement phase for intake and digestibility. The chemical composition of each forage was analyzed by NIR spectrometry using ILRI-validated equations for tropical forages and crop residues for Burkina Faso. Protein contents in the hays and straws ranged from 3.81% to 5.72%, with fiber contents of 71.76–78.16%. Forages harvested at heading and preserved as hay had higher nutrient levels than straws, while improved green fodder protein contents exceeded 7%. Peanut (14.75%) and cowpea (14.03%) haulms showed the highest protein concentrations. Intake was greatest for Panicum maximum cv. C1 (56.78 g/kg BW0.75, p < 0.05), with legume haulms (81.10 gDM/kgBW0.75) consumed more than green fodder (47.65 gDM/kgBW0.75). Digestibility was highest with peanut haulms (62.72%). These findings provide updated insights to strengthen Burkina Faso’s feed database and guide balanced livestock ration formulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Local Feed Resources in Ruminants Nutrition)
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19 pages, 281 KB  
Article
Enhancing Rehydrated Rice Husk as Ruminant Feed via Silage Additives: An In Vitro Study
by Chatchai Kaewpila, Julasinee Maensathit, Pairote Patarapreecha and Waroon Khota
Animals 2026, 16(12), 1835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16121835 - 14 Jun 2026
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Abstract
Rice husk is an abundant agricultural by-product with limited use in ruminant feeding due to its high lignocellulosic content and low digestibility. This study compared biological, enzymatic, and chemical additive strategies for improving the ensiling characteristics, chemical composition, and in vitro rumen fermentation [...] Read more.
Rice husk is an abundant agricultural by-product with limited use in ruminant feeding due to its high lignocellulosic content and low digestibility. This study compared biological, enzymatic, and chemical additive strategies for improving the ensiling characteristics, chemical composition, and in vitro rumen fermentation of rehydrated rice husk. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with seven treatments: Control (no additive); molasses + Lacticaseibacillus casei TH14 (MB); Acremonium cellulase (AC); laccase (LC); AC + LC; AC + LC + MB; and chemical treatment (CM). After 30 days of ensiling, CM reduced fiber contents and increased in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and total volatile fatty acid concentrations (p < 0.05). Among the biological additives, MB and AC + LC + MB significantly reduced NDF and improved ensiling quality and IVDMD (p < 0.05). Notably, AC + LC + MB resulted in the lowest methane emission intensity (44.07 mg/g IVDMD). Although CM, which was included as a chemical-disruption benchmark, was the most effective approach for substrate solubilization, AC + LC + MB improved fermentation characteristics, in vitro digestibility, and methane emission intensity per unit of digested dry matter under the present in vitro conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Local Feed Resources in Ruminants Nutrition)

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17 pages, 583 KB  
Systematic Review
Chemical Composition Tables of Locally Available Ruminant Feeds in West Africa: A Systematic Review
by Alassan Seidou Assani, Myriam Koudjoué, Hilaire Sanni Worogo, Mirabelle Jésugnon Houngbedji, Nouroudine Alimi, Loukaiya Zorobouragui, Yaya Idrissou and Ibrahim Alkoiret Traoré
Animals 2026, 16(8), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16081215 - 16 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Feed availability and quality remain major constraints to ruminant productivity in West Africa, where livestock systems rely heavily on locally available resources such as natural forages, crop residues and agro-industrial by-products. However, reliable ration formulation requires accurate information on feed chemical composition, while [...] Read more.
Feed availability and quality remain major constraints to ruminant productivity in West Africa, where livestock systems rely heavily on locally available resources such as natural forages, crop residues and agro-industrial by-products. However, reliable ration formulation requires accurate information on feed chemical composition, while existing data are fragmented and highly variable. This study conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2025 to synthesize available data on the chemical composition of ruminant feeds in West Africa. Following PRISMA guidelines, 44 studies reporting quantitative feed composition data were retained. Feed resources were classified into agro-industrial by-products, agricultural by-products and forages, and descriptive statistics were calculated for key nutritional parameters. The results revealed substantial variability in nutrient composition across feed types and even within the same feed resource. Cottonseed cake emerged as a major protein-rich supplement, legume haulms showed higher nutritional value than cereal residues, and several browse species such as Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala demonstrated high protein potential. These findings highlight that fixed feed composition values are poorly suited to heterogeneous tropical feeding systems. The reference ranges established in this review provide a more reliable basis for feed evaluation and ration formulation and can support the development of locally adapted feeding strategies and decision-support tools for West African livestock systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Local Feed Resources in Ruminants Nutrition)
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