Livestock sub-sector plays an important role in the livelihood
of Lao farmers in rural areas by proving not only for meat but also
by generating income to farmers. It accounts for about 20% in 2001
GDP. The total animal population in the year 2002 was about
1,213,500 cattle, 1048,500 buffaloes, 1,036,480 pigs, 123,800
goats, and 15,000,000 poultry. The growth of animal herd was about
4.5% (DLF, 2002) while average consumption of animal protein in Lao
PDR estimated to be 30.9 kilograms per person per year and
percentage of protein and fats from animal sources were 16.4% and
41.1% respectively (Anonymous, 2001; MAF, 2002)
Department of Livestock and Fisheries, 2002 reported that from
1986 to 1996, large animal production growth rate was 4.5%, with
the average per capita production reaching 4%. This performance was
significantly higher than the mean crop production growth rate of
2.8% and 0.17%, respectively. The increase of livestock production
will contribute to supply the animal protein to farmers' household,
urban residents consumption and to stabilize the national economy.
Approximately 90% of the present livestock raised by smallholder
farmers with minimal management, the farmers feed animals
extensively on natural feed resources and cannot secure sufficient
feeds during the dry season. Therefore, productivity has been
subsequently low under the existing feeding system.
Hence supplementation of good quality concentrate is generally
required. Cassava hay has been shown to be excellent source of
protein used either by direct supplementation or as a component in
concentrate mixture. Cassava (Manihot
esculenta,Crantz) is an important cash crop widely grow
in sandy loam soil, low fertilizer and under hot on long dry
season. Reed et al. (1982); Wanapat et al. (1989,1992) reported
that cassava leaves collected at harvesting time contained high
level of protein, and could be used as a protein supplement in
ruminants. However, the use of dried cassava leaves had been
limited due to its high level of condensed tannin (Onwuka, 1992).
Whole cassava (cassava hay, CH) was introduced by Wanapat et al.
(1997) into a dry season feeding system for ruminants by managing
cassava crop growth in order to obtain optimal yield and good
quality. Wanapat et al. (2000a) reported on a successful feeding of
CH to lactating dairy to reduce concentrate
supplementation.
However, research work on the use of cassava leaf and cassava
hay in Lao PDR has been negligible and suitable harvesting time of
cassava foliage to making hay has not been fully studied especially
under Lao condition. Therefore, it would be of great use to conduct
this research. The objectives of this experiment were to conduct a
survey on feeding systems of native beef cattle in central region
of Lao PDR and to study the effect of initial cutting at 3 months
and followed by subsequent cutting at every 2 months on yield and
nutritive value of cassava foliage and to study the effect of
levels of cassava hay supplementation in native beef cattle fed on
rice straw.