Evaluation of Processing Methods for Increased Utilization of Velvet Beans (Mucuna pruriens) as an Alternative Protein Supplement in Diets for Lactating Crossbred Dairy Cows Maintained on Smallholder Farms in Zambia

Joseph Simbaya; M Mwape; Oswin C. Chibinga; Silvia J. Harrison; Francisco Kanyinji

doi:10.53974/unza.jabs.6.4.1022

Joseph Simbaya Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia, P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka - Zambia
M Mwape Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia, P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka - Zambia
Oswin C. Chibinga Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia, P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka - Zambia
Silvia J. Harrison Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia, P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka - Zambia
Francisco Kanyinji THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA, SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

DOI: https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.6.4.1022

Keywords: Dry Season Supplementation, Indigenous Grain Legumes, On-Farm Concentrates, Rural Smallholder Dairying

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the processing methods of velvet beans (Mucuna pruriens) as a protein supplement in concentrates for cross-bred dairy cows on smallholder farms in Zambia. The beans were harvested by pulling entire plants after drying in the field and divided into three portions; (i) whole crop consisting of vines, pods and grains; (ii) unshelled pods only; and (iii) grain only. Each portion was ground to pass through a 2mm screen before using it to make concentrate for the feeding trial. Prior to the preparation of rations, samples from each portion were collected for the determination of nutrient composition. Each ration was fed to a group of cross-breed milking cows maintained on a farm to monitor performance. Chemical composition analysis showed that shelled grains had more nutrients than the pods and vines. Milking cows readily accepted all the prepared rations and maintained constant milk production throughout the study period. None of the animals on the trial exhibited any sign of ill-health. This showed that velvet beans could be fed to milking cows by incorporating ground pods with other ingredients without adversely affecting animal health or milk production.

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