The supplementation of haricot bean residue with lablab (Lablab purpureus) hay in the diet of Arsi bulls and heifers (Bos indicus)

Abstract

Arsi bulls and heifers were fed for 111 days with haricot bean residue alone or supplemented with 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 % of their body weight with lablab hay. Supplementation, especially with 1.0 and 1.5% increased the dry matter intake and weight gain (P<0.001). The supplements were economically profitable: unsupplemented, there was a loss of 0.275 Ethiopian Birr (ETB)/day, but with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% lablab supplementation there was a profit of 0.051, 0.320, 0.425 ETB/day respectively (US$1=8.67 Birr). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd