Fomunyam et al., 1987. In Overcoming constraints to the efficient utilization of agricultural by-products as animal feed. Proc. 4th annual workshop, Institute of animal research, Mankon Station, Bamenda, Cameroon 20-27 Oct. 1987 Ed. Said, A.N., Dzo

Tephrosia spp., a legume grown locally in Cameroon, and cottonseed cake, a by-product obtained from processing of cotton were used to supplement maize and rice stalk diets fed to sheep and goats in the dry season. There were 6 diets fed to 12 Dwarf forest sheep and 12 West African Dwarf goats. A 2 x 6 factorial design was used for the analysis. This supplementation increased the efficiency of utilization of the crop residues by the ruminants. There was a higher intake, weight gain and low mortalities for sheep than goats. There were high mortalities for goats but those which survived had intake above maintenance level. Diets supplemented with 50% Tephrosia and 50% cottonseed cake had the best results in terms of intake, weight gain and percent mortalities. Apparent digestibility values for crude protein was quite high and similar for all the diets. Therefore Tephrosia can equally be utilized like cottonseed cake for protein supplementation in adult sheep as no mortalities were observed. Apparent dry-matter digestibility values were high for the control checks indicating better palatability and therefore high intake. More work should be done on this study to find out the appropriate levels and the combinations needed for protein supplementation using the above supplements so as to improve on the intake of agricultural by-products and to encourage the use of Tephrosia which can also be used for fuel and maintaining soil fertility