Silage Production from Cassava Peel and Cassava Pulp as Energy Source in Cattle Diets

Processing of the silage using cassava peel as energy source in. dairy cow diets was studied. The experiment was conducted to investigate the chemical composition, degradability, lactic acid production and hydrocyanic acid content of various silages with varying cassava peel additions and ensiling times. The experiment was a 5x3 factorial design, completely randomized with factor A as the different formulated mixtures (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% kg fresh weight of cassava peel) and factor B as the times of ensiling (14, 21 and 28 days). The results showed that cassava peel was appropriated to use as energy source in silage for dairy cows at 14, 21 and 28 days ensiling times. The content of hydrocyanic acid was at safety level for animals. The pH of all silages was in the range commonly accepted for international standard. The pH of good quality silage should approximately be 4.2. The DM degradability was increased creased as the addition level of cassava pulp in. the silage increased. Lactic acid content of silage was highest at 14TH day ensiling time. The present study indicated that cassava peel and cassava pulp can be used as energy source in silage for dairy cows, particularly in Thailand where pastures are lacked during the dry period.