The Role of Farm Weeds in the Feeding of Ruminants During Cropping Season in Sokoto, Semi-Arid Nigeria

Abstract

This research was carried out to investigate the species composition, fresh and dry matter yield and the contribution of farm weeds in the feeding of ruminant animals during cropping season in Sokoto metropolis. Five farm weed selling centers were randomly selected from 3 Local Government Areas that form the Sokoto metropolis. The result revealed that Cynodon dactylon, Cenchrus biflorus, Hyparrenia rufa, Commelina bengalensis and Oryza longistiminata were the most frequent species of farm weeds offered for sale with frequencies of 9.4, 9.9, 12.3, 9.9 and 10.5% respectively. The average fresh and dry matter weights of 16 and 4kg per bundle were recorded respectively. Both fresh and dry matter yields of weeds varied significantly (P<0.05) between the weeks of the experiment. Week 8 produced the highest (P<0.05) mean fresh and DM weights of20 and 5.5 kg per bundle respectively. The 20 farm weed selling centres recorded in Sokoto metropolis produced a total of 4.4 tonnes DM day'. It was estimated that farm weeds contributed about 10% of the total dry matter requirement of ruminant animals (cattle, sheep and goats) populations in Sokoto metropolis. It was therefore concluded that farm weeds make significant contribution to livestock feeding in Sokoto metropolis during the cropping season, when animal's movement is restricted.