In dairy cattle, cassava leaf meal included at high levels (up to 50%) in the diet had positive effects on DM intake, live-weight gain, milk production and milk fat content (Ngi et al., 2006). This may be explained by the by-pass protein effect of condensed tannins which protect the proteins from rumen activity (Wanapat, 2002). In cattle, up to 35% cassava forage has been used to provide by-pass protein to ruminants fed urea and molasses. The intake of cassava forage was about 5 kg per day, and about two months of adaptation were required before full production was obtained (Göhl, 1982).

In dairy heifers, fresh cassava leaves had a negative effect on blood parameters and growth rate but ensiled and dried cassava leaves had positive effects (Duong Nguyen Khang et al., 2006). Chopped cassava (3% live weight) with rice straw given to young cattle in Cambodia resulted in higher growth rates and feed intake than with a rice straw diet (Mom Seng et al., 2001).

Cassava hay fed as a supplement at 600 g/day to native cattle, fed on a rice straw basal diet with a rumen supplement, improved feed intake, rumen ecology and digestibility (Vongsamphanh et al., 2004).

An experiment with dairy cattle in Costa Rica by Murillo (1952) which compared the value of cassava leaf meal with that of alfalfa meal showed that cassava leaf meal was a valuable feed for dairy cattle. Production of cows fed on cassava leaf meal was 90-96 percent of those fed on alfalfa meal. It was therefore concluded that cassava leaf meal was an economic replacement of alfalfa leaf meal. According to Ffloukes et al. (1978), cattle fed on chopped cassava foliage only, consumed up to 2% of their body weight (dry matter) and digested the material fairly well (66.5% dry matter digestibility). More recently, Smith et al. (1988) compared the rumen degradability of some foliages in cattle and goats. In all these ruminants a similarly high 48-hour degradability of 84.3% (mean) for cassava leaves was obtained which was higher than the degradability for Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, bamboo and oil palm leaves. Cassava foliage is thus a valuable feed material for ruminants. The feed value apparently decreases with age, and Müller (1977) suggested the foliage should be harvested at 3-4 months to ensure high nutrient content and to avoid reduction in tuber yield.

pls. find as attached

why so old references aren't there any newer than those??

Hi Okunlola,

I do not know if cassava chip would be interesting for you. Check papers on cassava chip effects on milk production due to its content in malate (papers published in 2006and 2007 by Wanapat if I am not wrong).

In this sense, also the attached article could help you.

Regards.

Article Improving dairy cow health and productivity with natural rum...

Definitely, cassava has positive effect in dairy cattle feeding and nutrition. You can find lots of literature on utilization  of cassava in  livestock. You can look the suggestions of Dr. Bharathy  

Please take a look at the following RG links and PDF attachment.

Article Promotion of cassava leaves silage utilization for smallhold...

Article The role of cassava hay as animal feed