Nguyen Thi Hong Nhan et al., 2009. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 21 (7)

A preliminary study was done to evaluate effects on fermentation characteristics and nutritive value of ensiling pineapple residue with different additives. Fresh pineapple residues (about 5 kg) were ensiled in plastic bags without or with 20% of poultry litter or rice polishings, or ground maize cobs. Samples of freshly processed pineapple waste were taken on the day of ensiling and of the ensiled product after 7, 14, 21, 30 and 60 days to determine their nutritive value.

After 60 days of ensiling, the quality of all silages was acceptable in terms of odour and appearance, with pH in the range of 2.92 – 3.75, the higher value being with poultry litter as additive. Lactic acid concentration reached 2.28- 3.08 % in dry matter (DM) after 60 days. Ammonia-N as percentage of total N increased in all silages with ensiling time, the effect being most pronounced in the waste ensiled with poultry litter.

In an on-farm feeding trial with 12 young cattle fed a locally available grass (Sacciolepis interrupt), growth rate was increased by supplementing the grass with fresh pineapple residues. There were no apparent benefits from the pineapple residues ensiled with rice polishing as the supplement.