Effects of supplementation with leaves of Bophia massaensis (abovata) in beef cattle

Abstract: 
The low animal productivity in the tropics is associated with several factors including seasonality and the qualitative variation of available fodder. A study was carried out at the Tchissola-k farm in the Municipality of Kahama, Angola from June to September 2017. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with Bophia massaensis leaves of the Abovata genus on steers (Autoctone vs Nellore) weight gain. The results showed consumption of 20 to 30 kg/animal, and the animals of group 1 consumed biweekly 24.29 to 29.58 kg/animal, increasing their consumption as the days increased due to legume adaptability. As for group two, the consumption was 20.39 - 27.98 kg / animal, also increasing as the days of evaluation increased. The results indicate increase in live weight in the first two groups, 12,13 kg, 10.13 kg, respectively, and 2.88 kg, for the last group (third) where the weight gain was low, since the animals in this group consumed only pasture and with no supplementary feeding.
Language: 
English
Date of publication: 
2018
Country: 
Region Focus: 
Southern Africa
Volume: 
17
Number: 
3
Pagination: 
1027 - 1034
Collection: 
RUFORUM Working document series
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Web resource
ISSN: 
1607-9345
E_ISSN: 
Edition: 
Extent: 
7