Effect of Stylo Grass (Stylosanthesis ...

Tree fodders are the main constituent of livestock feed, especially for goats, in mid-hills of Nepal. Stylo grass (Stylosanthesis guinenis) is also offered to livestock, but in much smaller quantities it can ease some of the pressure on tree fodder collection for livestock. It is grown in the mid-hills of Nepal, often on marginal land, and is also intercropped with trees. In this study, goats were offered up to 5 different tree fodders including khanayo (Ficus semicordata), sal (Shorea robusta), kabro (Ficus lacor), katus (Catannopsis tribuloides) and aanp (Mangifera indica) and stylo grass as supplement. We predicted that stylo grass (1) would have a greater effect on body mass of goats than any of the tree fodders and (2) would reduce the intake of tree fodders. Twenty castrated local Khari goats (initial mean body mass = 12.8±0.22 kg), 6 to 8 months of age, were selected and divided randomly into four groups of five goats each. The groups received tree fodders randomly and either 0, 120, 360 or 600 g fresh matter of stylo grass for 120 days. Stylo grass and all tree fodders significantly affected final body mass. Our predictions were partially confirmed. The total dry matter intake of tree fodders was reduced with an increase in stylo grass intake, as predicted. Furthermore, stylo grass intake significantly affected body mass, also as predicted, however, its effect was less than three of the tree fodders. Stylo grass orts were similar when the goats were offered with 120 and 360 g/d fresh matter, but increased when offered with 600 g/d fresh matter. This suggests that a level of less than 600 g/d fresh matter stylo grass should be offered to grow Khari goats.