The study evaluated effects of feeding cassava peel mash (CPM) supplemented with dried foliage of Ficus thonningii (DFF) on the performance of rams. Twenty rams were allotted to four dietary treatments (ad libitum CPM+2 per cent urea (control), ad libitum CPM supplemented with DFF at 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 per cent of body weight respectively) for 90 days. From the results, crude protein content ranged from 1.99 per cent in CPM to 10.35 per cent in CPM+2 per cent urea. The total dry-matter intake ranged from 247.94 g.d−1 for rams fed with CPM+2 per cent urea to 377.00 g.d−1 for rams supplemented with DFF at 1.8 per cent BW. Higher (P < 0.05) rumen ammonia nitrogen was obtained in animals fed diets containing CPM+2 per cent urea. As the supplementation of DFF increased, total volatile fatty acids concentration as well as microbial contents increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of basal diet of cassava peel mash with dried Ficus thonningii foliage up to 1.8 per cent of body weight of rams is recommended for improved animal performance.

Anele, U., Arigbede, O., Olanite, J., Adekunle, I., Jolaosho, A., Onifade, O. and Oni, A. (2008) ‘Early growth and seasonal chemical composition of three indigenous multipurpose tree species (MPTS) in Abeokuta, Nigeria’, Agroforestry System 73: 89–98.

AOAC (2010) Official Methods of Analysis, 18th edn, revision 3, Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC.

Asadu, C.L.A., Nweke, F.I. and Enete, A.A. (2008) ‘Soil properties and intensification of traditional farming systems in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA)’, Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension 7: 186–92 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267248719.

Baker, F.J. and Breach, M.R. (1980) Medical Microbiology Techniques (1st edn), Butterworths, London.

Bamikole, M., Ikhatua, U., Arigbede, O., Babayemi, O. and Etela, I. (2004) ‘An evaluation of the accessibility as forge of some nutritive and anti-nutritive components and of the dry matter degradation profiles of five species of Ficus’, Tropical Animal Health and Production 36: 157–67 <https://doi.org/10.1023/B:TROP.0000012104.47814.78>.

Barry, T. and McNabb, W. (1999) ‘The implications of condensed tannins on the nutritive value of temperate forages fed to ruminants’, British Journal of Nutrition 81: 263–72 <https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114599000501>.

Bokanga, M. (1995) ‘Biotechnology and cassava processing in Africa’, Food Technology 49: 86–90.

Crowder, L. and Chedda, H. (1977) Forage and Fodder Crops, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Department of Water Resources and Agrometeorology, FUNAAB (2016) Agrometeorological Weather Station, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Duncan, D. (1955) ‘Multiple range and multiple F. tests’, Biometrics 11: 1–42.

FAO (1997) Tree Foliage in Animal Nutrition, FAO Animal Health and Production Paper No. 139, FAO, Rome.

FAO (2011) Food Outlook: Global Market Analysis [pdf], FAO, Rome <http://www.fao.org/3/al981e/al981e00.pdf> [accessed 8 July 2020].

Jaffe, C. (2003) Analytical Chemistry of Food, Blackie Academic and Professional, New York, 1:200.

Kearl, L. (1982) Nutrient Requirements of Ruminants in Developing Countries, International Feedstuffs Institute, Utah Agriculture Experimental Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT.

Kempton, T., Nolan, J. and Leng, R. (1977) ‘Principles of non-protein nitrogen and by-pass protein in ruminant diets’, World Animal Review [online] <http://www.fao.org/3/X6512E16.htm#ch16> [accessed 4 July 2020].

Latham, M.J., Sharpe, M.E. and Sutton, J.D. (1971) ‘The microbial flora of the rumen of cows fed hay and high cereal rations and its relationship to the rumen fermentation’, Journal of Applied Bacteriology 34: 425–34 <https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.1971.tb02302.x>.

MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, Department for Agriculture for Northern Ireland) (1984) Energy Allowances and Feeding Systems for Ruminants, Reference Book 433, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, London.

Mecha, I. and Adegbola, T. (1980) ‘Chemical composition of some Nigerian fodder eaten by goats’, in Proceedings of International Symposium on Browse in Africa, ILCA, Addis Ababa, 8–12 April, pp. 75–7.

Oba, M. and Allen, M. (2003) ‘Effects of corn grain conservation method on feeding behaviour and productivity of lactating dairy cows at two dietary starch concentrations’, Journal of Dairy Science 86: 174–83 <https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73598-X>.

Oduguwa, B., Oni, A., Adeola, A., Famakinde, S., Sanni, B. and Oduguwa, O. (2012) ‘Chemical composition and microbiological properties of pelletized cassava-based diets at different days of storage’, Journal of Natural Science, Engineering and Technology 11(2): 136–43 <http://journal.unaab.edu.ng/index.php/JNSET/article/view/1965>.

Oduguwa, B., Sanusi, G., Fasae, O., Oni, A. and Arigbede, O. (2013a) ‘Nutritive value, growth performance and haematological parameters of West Africa dwarf sheep fed preserved pineapple fruit waste and cassava by-products’, Nigeria Journal of Animal Production 20(1): 123–32 <https://www.ajol.info/index.php/njap/article/view/116939>.

Oduguwa, B., Oni, A., Arigbede, O., Adesunbola, J. and Sudekum, K. (2013b) ‘Feeding potential of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) peels ensiled with Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium assessed with West African dwarf goats’, Tropical Animal Health Production 45: 1363–8 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-013-0370-y>.

Okike, I., Samireddypalle, A., Katoge, L., Fauquet, C., Atehnkeng, J., Bandyopadhyay, R., Kulakow, P., Duncan, A., Alabi, T. and Blummel, M. (2015) ‘Technical innovations for small-scale producers and households to process wet cassava peels into high quality animal feed ingredients and AflasafeTM substrate’, Food Chain 5(1-2): 71–90 <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/2046-1887.2015.005>.

Omilani, O., Abass, A. and Okoruwa, V.O. (2015) ‘Willingness to pay for value-added solid waste management system among cassava processors in Nigeria’, presented at Tropentag 2015, Berlin, 16–18 September 2015 [online] <https://www.tropentag.de/2015/proceedings/proceedings.pdf> [accessed 8 July 2020].

Oni, A., Onwuka, C., Oduguwa, O., Onifade, O. and Arigbede, O. (2008) ‘Utilization of citrus pulp based diets and Enterolobium cyclocarpum (JACQ. GRISEB) foliage by West African dwarf goats’, Livestock Science 117: 184–91 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2007.12.010>.

Oni, A., Arigbede, O., Oni, O., Onwuka, C., Anele, U., Oduguwa, B. and Yusuf, K. (2010) ‘Effects of feeding different levels of dried cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) based concentrates with Panicum maximum basal on the performance of growing West African dwarf goats’, Livestock Science 129: 24–30 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2009.12.007>.

Peacock, C. (1996) Improving Goat Production in the Tropics: A Manual for Development Workers, Oxfam, UK and Ireland.

Preston, T. and Leng, R. (1987) Matching Ruminant Production Systems with Available Resources in the Tropics and Sub-tropics, Penambul Books Armidale, Queensland.

Reed, J. (1995) ‘Nutritional toxicology of tannins and related polyphenols in forage legumes’, Journal of Animal Science 73: 1516 <https://doi.org/10.2527/1995.7351516x>.

Roothaert, L. (2000) The Potential of Indigenous and Naturalized Fodder Trees and Shrubs for Intensive Use in Central Kenya, Doctoral thesis, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.

Samuel, M., Sagathewan, S., Thomas, J. and Mathen, G. (1997) ‘An HPLC method for estimation of volatile fatty acids of ruminal fluid’, Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 69: 805–7.

Sanon, H.O., Kaboré-Zoungrana, C. and Ledin, I. (2007) ‘Behaviour of goats, sheep and cattle and their selection of browse species on natural pasture in a Sahelian area’, Small Ruminant Research 67(1): 64–74 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2005.09.025>.

SAS (2009) User’s Guide: Statistics, Version 9.1, SAS Institute, Inc. Cary, NC.

Singh, B., Chaudhary, L.C., Agarwal, N. and Kamra, D.N. (2011) ‘Effect of feeding Ficus infectoria leaves on rumen microbial profile and nutrient utilization in goats’, Asian Australasian Journal of Animal Science 24(6): 810–7 <https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2011.10199>.

Smith, R. (1992) ‘Fodder trees and shrubs in range and farming systems in tropical humid Africa’, in Andrew Speedy and Pierre-Luc Pugliese (eds.), Proceedings of the FAO Expert Consultation, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (AARDI), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 39–50, FAO, Rome.

Tarawali, S., Peters, M. and Schuultz-Kraft, K. (1999) Forage Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Production in Sub-humid West Africa, ILRI, Nairobi.

Tegbe, T., Adeyinka, I., Baye, K. and Alawa, J. (2006) ‘Evaluation of feeding graded levels of dried and milled Ficus thonningii leaves on growth performance, carcass characteristics and organs of weaner rabbits’, Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 5(6): 548–50 <http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2006.548.550>.

Van Soest, P.J. (1994) Nutritional Ecology of the Ruminant, 2nd edn, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY.

Van Soest, P., Robertson, J. and Lewis, B. (1991) ‘Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition’, Journal of Dairy Science 74: 3583–97 <https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(91)78551-2>.

Wanapat, M., Petlum, A. and Pimpa, O. (2000) ‘Supplementation of cassava hay to replace concentrate use in lactating Holstein–Friesian crossbreds’, Asian-Australasia Journal of Animal Sciences 13: 600–4 <https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2000.600>.

Yusuf, K., Isah, O., Onwuka, C., Olanite, J., Oni, A. and Aderinboye, R. (2013) ‘Effects of enzymes additive on nutrient intake, digestibility and rumen metabolites of yearling cattle fed grass-hay based diet’, Nigeria Journal of Animal Science 15: 155–67 <https://www.ajol.info/index.php/tjas/article/view/94042>.

Anele, U., Arigbede, O., Olanite, J., Adekunle, I., Jolaosho, A., Onifade, O. and Oni, A. (2008) ‘Early growth and seasonal chemical composition of three indigenous multipurpose tree species (MPTS) in Abeokuta, Nigeria’, Agroforestry System 73: 89–98.

AOAC (2010) Official Methods of Analysis, 18th edn, revision 3, Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC.

Asadu, C.L.A., Nweke, F.I. and Enete, A.A. (2008) ‘Soil properties and intensification of traditional farming systems in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA)’, Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension 7: 186–92 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267248719.

Baker, F.J. and Breach, M.R. (1980) Medical Microbiology Techniques (1st edn), Butterworths, London.

Bamikole, M., Ikhatua, U., Arigbede, O., Babayemi, O. and Etela, I. (2004) ‘An evaluation of the accessibility as forge of some nutritive and anti-nutritive components and of the dry matter degradation profiles of five species of Ficus’, Tropical Animal Health and Production 36: 157–67 <https://doi.org/10.1023/B:TROP.0000012104.47814.78>.

Barry, T. and McNabb, W. (1999) ‘The implications of condensed tannins on the nutritive value of temperate forages fed to ruminants’, British Journal of Nutrition 81: 263–72 <https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114599000501>.

Bokanga, M. (1995) ‘Biotechnology and cassava processing in Africa’, Food Technology 49: 86–90.

Crowder, L. and Chedda, H. (1977) Forage and Fodder Crops, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Department of Water Resources and Agrometeorology, FUNAAB (2016) Agrometeorological Weather Station, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Duncan, D. (1955) ‘Multiple range and multiple F. tests’, Biometrics 11: 1–42.

FAO (1997) Tree Foliage in Animal Nutrition, FAO Animal Health and Production Paper No. 139, FAO, Rome.

FAO (2011) Food Outlook: Global Market Analysis [pdf], FAO, Rome <http://www.fao.org/3/al981e/al981e00.pdf> [accessed 8 July 2020].

Jaffe, C. (2003) Analytical Chemistry of Food, Blackie Academic and Professional, New York, 1:200.

Kearl, L. (1982) Nutrient Requirements of Ruminants in Developing Countries, International Feedstuffs Institute, Utah Agriculture Experimental Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT.

Kempton, T., Nolan, J. and Leng, R. (1977) ‘Principles of non-protein nitrogen and by-pass protein in ruminant diets’, World Animal Review [online] <http://www.fao.org/3/X6512E16.htm#ch16> [accessed 4 July 2020].

Latham, M.J., Sharpe, M.E. and Sutton, J.D. (1971) ‘The microbial flora of the rumen of cows fed hay and high cereal rations and its relationship to the rumen fermentation’, Journal of Applied Bacteriology 34: 425–34 <https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.1971.tb02302.x>.

MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, Department for Agriculture for Northern Ireland) (1984) Energy Allowances and Feeding Systems for Ruminants, Reference Book 433, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, London.

Mecha, I. and Adegbola, T. (1980) ‘Chemical composition of some Nigerian fodder eaten by goats’, in Proceedings of International Symposium on Browse in Africa, ILCA, Addis Ababa, 8–12 April, pp. 75–7.

Oba, M. and Allen, M. (2003) ‘Effects of corn grain conservation method on feeding behaviour and productivity of lactating dairy cows at two dietary starch concentrations’, Journal of Dairy Science 86: 174–83 <https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73598-X>.

Oduguwa, B., Oni, A., Adeola, A., Famakinde, S., Sanni, B. and Oduguwa, O. (2012) ‘Chemical composition and microbiological properties of pelletized cassava-based diets at different days of storage’, Journal of Natural Science, Engineering and Technology 11(2): 136–43 <http://journal.unaab.edu.ng/index.php/JNSET/article/view/1965>.

Oduguwa, B., Sanusi, G., Fasae, O., Oni, A. and Arigbede, O. (2013a) ‘Nutritive value, growth performance and haematological parameters of West Africa dwarf sheep fed preserved pineapple fruit waste and cassava by-products’, Nigeria Journal of Animal Production 20(1): 123–32 <https://www.ajol.info/index.php/njap/article/view/116939>.

Oduguwa, B., Oni, A., Arigbede, O., Adesunbola, J. and Sudekum, K. (2013b) ‘Feeding potential of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) peels ensiled with Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium assessed with West African dwarf goats’, Tropical Animal Health Production 45: 1363–8 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-013-0370-y>.

Okike, I., Samireddypalle, A., Katoge, L., Fauquet, C., Atehnkeng, J., Bandyopadhyay, R., Kulakow, P., Duncan, A., Alabi, T. and Blummel, M. (2015) ‘Technical innovations for small-scale producers and households to process wet cassava peels into high quality animal feed ingredients and AflasafeTM substrate’, Food Chain 5(1-2): 71–90 <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/2046-1887.2015.005>.

Omilani, O., Abass, A. and Okoruwa, V.O. (2015) ‘Willingness to pay for value-added solid waste management system among cassava processors in Nigeria’, presented at Tropentag 2015, Berlin, 16–18 September 2015 [online] <https://www.tropentag.de/2015/proceedings/proceedings.pdf> [accessed 8 July 2020].

Oni, A., Onwuka, C., Oduguwa, O., Onifade, O. and Arigbede, O. (2008) ‘Utilization of citrus pulp based diets and Enterolobium cyclocarpum (JACQ. GRISEB) foliage by West African dwarf goats’, Livestock Science 117: 184–91 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2007.12.010>.

Oni, A., Arigbede, O., Oni, O., Onwuka, C., Anele, U., Oduguwa, B. and Yusuf, K. (2010) ‘Effects of feeding different levels of dried cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) based concentrates with Panicum maximum basal on the performance of growing West African dwarf goats’, Livestock Science 129: 24–30 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2009.12.007>.

Peacock, C. (1996) Improving Goat Production in the Tropics: A Manual for Development Workers, Oxfam, UK and Ireland.

Preston, T. and Leng, R. (1987) Matching Ruminant Production Systems with Available Resources in the Tropics and Sub-tropics, Penambul Books Armidale, Queensland.

Reed, J. (1995) ‘Nutritional toxicology of tannins and related polyphenols in forage legumes’, Journal of Animal Science 73: 1516 <https://doi.org/10.2527/1995.7351516x>.

Roothaert, L. (2000) The Potential of Indigenous and Naturalized Fodder Trees and Shrubs for Intensive Use in Central Kenya, Doctoral thesis, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.

Samuel, M., Sagathewan, S., Thomas, J. and Mathen, G. (1997) ‘An HPLC method for estimation of volatile fatty acids of ruminal fluid’, Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 69: 805–7.

Sanon, H.O., Kaboré-Zoungrana, C. and Ledin, I. (2007) ‘Behaviour of goats, sheep and cattle and their selection of browse species on natural pasture in a Sahelian area’, Small Ruminant Research 67(1): 64–74 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2005.09.025>.

SAS (2009) User’s Guide: Statistics, Version 9.1, SAS Institute, Inc. Cary, NC.

Singh, B., Chaudhary, L.C., Agarwal, N. and Kamra, D.N. (2011) ‘Effect of feeding Ficus infectoria leaves on rumen microbial profile and nutrient utilization in goats’, Asian Australasian Journal of Animal Science 24(6): 810–7 <https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2011.10199>.

Smith, R. (1992) ‘Fodder trees and shrubs in range and farming systems in tropical humid Africa’, in Andrew Speedy and Pierre-Luc Pugliese (eds.), Proceedings of the FAO Expert Consultation, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (AARDI), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 39–50, FAO, Rome.

Tarawali, S., Peters, M. and Schuultz-Kraft, K. (1999) Forage Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Production in Sub-humid West Africa, ILRI, Nairobi.

Tegbe, T., Adeyinka, I., Baye, K. and Alawa, J. (2006) ‘Evaluation of feeding graded levels of dried and milled Ficus thonningii leaves on growth performance, carcass characteristics and organs of weaner rabbits’, Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 5(6): 548–50 <http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2006.548.550>.

Van Soest, P.J. (1994) Nutritional Ecology of the Ruminant, 2nd edn, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY.

Van Soest, P., Robertson, J. and Lewis, B. (1991) ‘Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition’, Journal of Dairy Science 74: 3583–97 <https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(91)78551-2>.

Wanapat, M., Petlum, A. and Pimpa, O. (2000) ‘Supplementation of cassava hay to replace concentrate use in lactating Holstein–Friesian crossbreds’, Asian-Australasia Journal of Animal Sciences 13: 600–4 <https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2000.600>.

Yusuf, K., Isah, O., Onwuka, C., Olanite, J., Oni, A. and Aderinboye, R. (2013) ‘Effects of enzymes additive on nutrient intake, digestibility and rumen metabolites of yearling cattle fed grass-hay based diet’, Nigeria Journal of Animal Science 15: 155–67 <https://www.ajol.info/index.php/tjas/article/view/94042>.