Morula Kernel Cake (<i>Sclerocarya birrea</i>) as a Protein Source in Diets of Finishing Tswana Lambs: Effects on Nutrient Digestibility, Growth, Meat Quality, and Gross Margin
Leonard Baleseng,
Othusitse Madibela,
Christopher Tsopito,
Molebeledi Mareko,
Wame Boitumelo,
Moagi Letso
Affiliations
Leonard Baleseng
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
Othusitse Madibela
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
Christopher Tsopito
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
Molebeledi Mareko
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
Wame Boitumelo
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
Moagi Letso
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
A trial evaluated growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and economic returns of fattened lambs fed on diets containing different protein sources. Six castrated male Tswana lambs per treatment were used in a completely randomised design (CRD) trial and fed on complete diets containing Lucerne (CD; commercial diet), morula kernel cake (MKC), or sunflower seedcake (SC) as protein sources over a 103-day experiment. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in the dry matter intake, final body weight, average daily gain, and FCR. This was attributable to all the diets providing an equal supply of nutrients to the lambs. Meat quality attributes and proximate composition values were similar (p > 0.05) across the treatments. Longissimus dorsi muscle organoleptic quality did not differ (p > 0.05) across the treatments. The gross margin analysis was significantly greater (p Sclerocarya birrea) can be used for fattening lambs when common protein sources are either not available or expensive.
