# Effects of replacing concentrates with cassava products on feed intake, digestibility, and rumen fermentation in Thai native cattle

## TL;DR

This study examines how replacing concentrate feed with cassava products affects cattle digestion and feed efficiency in Thai native cattle.

## Contribution

The study identifies that up to 33% of concentrate can be replaced with cassava products without negatively impacting digestion in Thai cattle.

## Key findings

- Replacing 67% of concentrate with cassava products reduced dry matter intake and digestibility.
- Crude protein digestibility increased significantly with cassava-based diets.
- CtFCp-67 lowered rumen acetate, propionate, and methane emissions compared to other treatments.

## Abstract

The study investigated the effect of replacing concentrate with dried cassava tops and fermented cassava pulp (CtFCp) on feed efficiency, nutrient intake, and rumen fermentation in Thai native cattle.

A completely randomized design with three dietary treatments was conducted with female Thai native cattle, initially weighing approximately 97 kg. The dietary treatments consisted of 100% concentrate (Control), 67% concentrate mixed with 33% dried CtFCp-33, and 33% concentrate mixed with 67% dried CtFCp-67, all based on dry matter (DM).

DM intake and digestibility were lower (p < 0.05) in the CtFCp-67 treatment than in other treatments. In addition, crude protein digestibility increased (p < 0.001) in the CtFCp diets. At 4 h post-feeding, concentrations of acetate and propionate were significantly decreased in the CtFCp-67 treatment, while total volatile fatty acids and butyrate were also significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Estimated methane emissions were lower in CtFCp-67 than CtFCp-33 (p < 0.05).

CtFCp can replace up to 33% of concentrate in Thai native cattle diets without affecting intake or digestibility. Further studies should assess the effects of lactating cows.