Review of the nutritional quality of wild sunflower and cassava bran for silage production in dairy cattle

Abstract

Wild sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray) is a promising forage for dairy cattle because of its relatively high content of protein and non-fibrous carbohydrates. Furthermore, it has secondary metabolites that can modulate rumen fermentation toward more efficient metabolic pathways for the animal and are less harmful to the environment. Also, due to its phonological state nutritional value, it helps establish management strategies that benefit animal performance without affecting forage. On the other hand, cassava bran is a by-product of the extraction of cassava starch (Manihot esculenta Crantz) which can be used to feed dairy cattle because of its high starch concentra- tion. The ensiling process favors the use of wild sunflower because it enables its harvest according to its phenological age, maintains stable forage supply, and reduces production costs. Using additives such as sugar, molasses, and fermented juice from epiphytic flora can contribute to the lactic acid fer- mentation process and reduce nutrient loss during silage production. Using cassava bran when making wild sunflower silage contributes to the conserva- tion of forage because it reduces humidity and provides easily fermentable carbohydrates. Wild sunflower mixed silage and cassava bran with its starch contribution benefit the feeding of dairy cattle because of the protein and secondary metabolites content of wild sunflower., However this hypothesis must be challenged experimentally.