A Comparative Study of Three Tropical Grasses Over Two Seasons Chemical Composition and In Vitro Digestibility for the Cultivation and Use of High-Quality Forage During Periods of Shortage

This document serves as a preliminary study toward resolving the issue of forage availability during the dry season. It therefore focuses on comparing the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of three tropical grasses during the dry and rainy seasons in small ruminants. It includes not only the results of the various analyses conducted but also a review of current knowledge on the feeding of small ruminants in tropical regions and the digestibility and digestion of forages in sheep and goats. In fact, in sub-Saharan Africa, improving the nutritional value of natural pastures-the basis of ruminant diets-through the addition of supplements such as urea, ammonia, oilseed meal, silage, or distillers' grains to rations is not always feasible for livestock farmers due to high costs and potential unavailability. However, certain grasses and herbaceous plants, when cultivated as reserves, can be used during periods of scarcity. This book is therefore intended for students of agronomy and agricultural sciences, teachers, rural development technicians, and livestock farmers.