Use of vegetable waste for feeding Omani livestock

The high cost of feeds is a major constraint of livestock production in Oman. One way to overcome this problem is by using nonconventional local cheap feed resources. This study aims to investigate the effect of use of vegetable waste (processed and unprocessed) on digestibility, performance and carcass and meat quality characteristics in Omani goats. These aims will be achieved through three phases. The first phase will determine the chemical composition of vegetable waste before and after processing. The second phase is to determine the digestibility coefficients of protein, fiber, energy and minerals in raw and processed vegetable waste in a digestibility trial as well as using in vitro and in vivo methods to study in details rumen chemistry and microbiology aspects utilizing canulated Omani goats. In phase three, a growth study will be conducted to test the effect of vegetable waste as a major source of roughage on feed intake, body weight gain and carcass and meat quality of Omani goats. Vegetable waste including leafy (cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, etc.) and root (potatoes, carrots, etc.) vegetables will be collected from Al-Mawaleh vegetable and fruit market. Processing include: drying, ensiling and mixing with local agricultural by-products. The aim is to replace Rhodesgrass hay partially or completely with vegetable waste. At the end of the growth study, goats will be slaughtered to evaluate carcass and meat quality traits. This project will provide information on the nutritive values of a potential local feed source which may reduce feeding cost of livestock and consequently increase farmer s revenue in the Sultanate of Oman. It will also elucidate important aspects of goat rumen microbiology as affected by feed.