ABSTRACT
This study reviews the estimated feed requirements of ruminant livestock expressed in
terms of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and digestible crude protein (DCP) available
in different feedstuff sources. At the same time the feed resources available are either
green fodder, roughages or concentrates which can contribute in feeding ruminants. The
derived estimates show a shortage in TDN requirements estimated by 2.28 million tons
while DCP shows surplus of about 50 thousand tons.
After reviewing several proposals to correct the balance of fodder and the
development of manufacturing feeds and how to make the best use of the available
agricultural residues, the lowest annual estimate of TDN increase is about 25.5 million
tons. It could be achieved through using simple techniques such as treatment with urea
solution or ammonia, supporting and enrichment of poor quality roughages with
vitamins and minerals and urea mixture or use of complete rations and ensiling crops.
It can be conceptualized to address the gap feed in animal nutrition as it shows in the
following table that the nutritive values of raw agri-by-products (used unimproved) is
2730 tons TDN. If they has been adapted and enriched can raise their nutritive value by
about 25% which accomplish an increase of 682 thousand tons of TDN, and if 60% of
agricultural residues that are neglected and burned are used for feeding, 3500 tons TDN
more will be added, thus the total value added is about 4182 tons TDN . This amount
covers the shortage in fodder balance. Meanwhile, there is a remained large surplus of
TDN which could replace the use of vast amount of clover in winter, thus save about
50% of the area cultivated by fodder to cultivate wheat that burden the provision of
hard currency of the country.