Evaluation of tagasaste (Chamaecytisus palmensis) as forage for ruminants

The multipurpose leguminous tree tagasaste (Chamaecytisus palmensis) was evaluated in a series of experiments in the field, laboratory and using animal responses in the tropical highlands of Ethiopia. The first phase of the research dealt with the harvesting management options to maximize biomass and crude protein (CP) yield. In the 2nd phase the quality profiles including nutritional and anti–nutritional aspects were investigated. In the third phase of the research, harvesting stage and pre-feeding forage preparation methods on forage preference and intake were evaluated by sheep, growing steers and heifers. Finally the feeding value of tagasaste as a substitute to a standard concentrate on weight gain, digestibility and carcass parameters were measured in sheep. Tagasaste can successfully be established by transplanting seedlings and the subsequent productivity can be substantially improved by applying a good harvesting management. The chemical composition, in situ and in vitro parameters demonstrated tagasaste as a potential protein source with high degradability for ruminants. The contents of tannins and alkaloids found in tagasaste forage are below the level expected to cause toxicity in ruminants, but are in the range that could affect intake and digestibility. The pre-feeding physical treatment of tagasaste forage has an effect on preference and intake in ruminants but forage harvesting stage did not show any effect on intake. Fresh tagasaste forage can fully substitute wheat bran and noug seed cake mixture supplement in the diets of growing sheep for similar weight gain and carcass parameters. Evaluation of a given forage crop in animal feeding should consider the different aspects in the production, processing, feeding and quality of the final product.