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MEKARN Workshop 2009: Livestock, Climate Change and the Environment |
Mimosa pigra is a shrub legume that is considered to be a dangerous weed impacting crop production in the Mekong Delta. The usual approach to the control of this species is to eliminate it. This is costly and not always effective and can have negative environmental effects if agro-chemicals are used An alternative way is to utilize it as a feed for animals. Studies conducted recently show that Mimosa pigra is an excellent feed for goats. Growth rates of 98 g/day were recorded in goats grazing exclusively on Mimosa. Fed in confinement, in a cut-and-carry system as the sole feed, the growth rates on mimosa alone were a little lower (83 g/day). It is concluded that Mimosa pigra can provide all required nutrients for goats, and that the tannins present in the leaves (about 4% in DM) help to protect the protein from attack by rumen microbes, thus providing a source of protein with rrumen "bypass" characteristics. Thus instead of being an "invasive" weed, Mimosa pigra becomes a valuable feed resource for goats, supporting high growth rates.hong_agucit.htm