Kavana et al., 2005. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 17 (4)

A preliminary study was conducted from March to July 2004 to investigate the effectiveness of ensiling cassava leaves in reduction of free cyanogens and the feeding value of cassava leaf silage. A feeding trial was conducted in Muheza district involving 10 crossbred dairy cows (Friesian x Boran) owned by smallholder dairy farmers. Preliminary results indicated that ensiling of cassava leaves was effective in reduction of free cyanogens. Ensiling for three months reduced free cyanogens from 289 to 20 mg/kg of silage. Animals that were provided with cassava leaf silage produced more milk than the control group (9.9 vs 7.6 litres/cow/day). Milk fat produced by cows during cassava leaf silage feeding period was higher than before the silage feeding period (4.0 vs 3.3 %). No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in terms of Solid Not Fat (SNF) content of milk between the two periods. It was envisaged that cassava leaf silage had a high proportion of by pass protein that contributed to the increase in milk production of the experimental animals. This study indicates that cassava leaf silage has a potential for improvement of milk production from crossbred dairy cows during the dry season. However, it has been recommended that more farmers should be involved in different locations so as to derive a general conclusion.