Abstract
Moringa oleifera, either fresh or ensiled, was compared with Elephant grass as a main feedstuff for dairy cows. To test the effects feed had on milk yield, milk composition, ration digestibility, and the organoleptic characteristics of milk, six lactating dairy cows were used in a Changeover 3 × 3 Latin Square experiment, replicated twice. With equal intake of metabolizable energy the intake of protein and fiber differed (p < 0.001) between all diets where fresh Moringa had the highest and the Elephant grass diet had the lowest intake. Compared with the control diet, ensiled Moringa had higher digestibility (P < 0.05) of both protein and fiber. With the exception of DM digestibility, no digestibility differences were found between fresh Moringa and Moringa silage treatments. Milk yield did not differ between any of the treatments and averaged 13.7 kg cow day−1. Milk composition was similar among all treatments. Milk from the fresh Moringa treatment, however, had a grassy flavor and aroma, significantly different from the other two treatments, even though it was normal in color and appearance. No organoleptic differences were found between milk from the control treatment and the Moringa silage treatment. The conclusion is that Moringa silage can be fed to dairy cows in large quantities to produce the same quantity and quality of milk as traditional diets.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agrodesierto, 2010. Moringa—Moringa oleifera, Programas agroforestales, Retrieved October 11st, 2010 from http://www.agrodesierto.com/moringa.html.
AOAC, 1984. Official methods of analysis. 14th edition, (Association of official analytical chemists, Washington)
AOAC, 1990. Official methods of analysis. 15th edition, (Association of official analytical chemists, Gaithersburg)
Benavides, J., 1994. La investigación en árboles forrajeros. Árboles y arbustos forrajeros de América Central, (CATIE, Turrialba)
Bennet, R., Mellon, F., Foild, N., Pratt, J., Dupont, M., Perkins, L. and Kroon, P., 2003. Profiling glucosinolates and phenolics in vegetative and reproductive tissues of the multi-purpose trees Moringa oleifera L. (Horseradish tree) and Moringa stenopetala L, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51, 3546–553
Ben Salem, H. and Makkar, H., 2009. Defatted Moringa oleifera seed meal as a feed additive for sheep, Animal Feed Science and Technology, 150, 27–33
Cárdenas, J., Sandoval, C. and Solorio, F., 2003. Chemical composition of grass and forage trees mixed silages, Técnica Pecuaria de México, 41, 283–294
Castro Ramírez, A., 2002. Ganadería de leche: Enfoque empresarial, (Universidad Estatal a Distancia, San José)
de Leeuw, P., Omure, A., Staal, S. and Thorpe, W., 1998. Dairy production systems in the tropics: A review. In: L. Falver and C. Chantalakhan (eds), Smallholders dairying in the tropics, (ILRI, Nairobi), 19–44
Dougherty, R., Shipe, W., Gudnason, V., Ledford, R., Peterson, R. and Scarpellino, R., 1962. Physiological mechanisms involved in transmitting flavors and odors to milk. I. Contribution of eructated gases to milk flavor, Journal of Dairy Science, 4, 472–476
Duke, J., 1983. Handbook of energy crops (Moringa oleifera), (Center for new crop and plant products, Purdue University, Indiana)
Fales, S., Gustine, D., Bosworth, S. and Hoover, R., 1987. Concentrations of glucosinolates and S-methylcysteine sulfoxide in ensiled rape (Brassica napus L.), Journal of Dairy Science, 70, 2402–2405
FAO, 2010. Ganadería bovina en América Latina: Escenario 2008–2009 y tendencias del sector, (Santiago de Chile)
Fernández-Baca, S., 1992. Perspectivas de la producción de leche y carne en el trópico americano. In: S. Fernández-Baca (ed), Avances en la producción de leche y carne en el trópico Americano, (FAO, Santiago de Chile)
Ferreira, P., Farias, D., Oliveira, J. and Carvalho, A., 2008. Moringa oleifera: Bioactive compounds and nutritional potential, Revista de Nutrição, 21, 431–437
Fujihara, T., Kakengi, A., Shem, M. and Sarwatt, S., 2005. Can Moringa oleifera be used as a protein supplement for ruminants?, Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, 18, 42
Holmann, F., Rivas, L., Carulla, C., Rivera, B., Giraldo, L., Guzmán, S., Martínez, M., Medina, A. and Farrow, A., 2003. Evolution of milk production systems in tropical Latin America and its interrelationship with the markets: an analysis of the Colombian case, Livestock Research for Rural Development 15, Retrieved December 7, 2010, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd15/9/holm159.htm
Kokkonen T, Tesfa AT, Tuori M, Yrjänen S, Syrjälä-Qvist L., 2002. Effect of concentrate crude protein level on grass silage intake, milk yield and nutrient utilisation by dairy cows in early lactation. Archiv für Tierernährung, 56, 213–27.
Lindgren, E., 1979. Vallfodrets näringsvärde bestämt in vivo och med olika laboratoriemetoder. Report 45, (The Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala)
Makkar, H. and Becker, K., 1996. Nutritional value and anti-nutritional components of whole and ethanol extracted Moringa oleifera leaves, Animal Feed Science and Technology, 63, 211–228
Makkar, H. and Becker, K., 1997. Nutrients and antiquality factors in different morphological parts of the Moringa oleifera tree, Journal of Agricultural Science, 128, 311–332
Manh, L., Dung, N. and Ngoi, T., 2005. Introduction and evaluation of Moringa oleifera for biomass production and as feed for goats in the Mekong Delta, Livestock Research for Rural Development, 17, Retrieved December 7, 2010, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd17/9/manh17104.htm
Mauricio, R., Sousa, L., Moreira, G., Reis, G. and Gonçalves, L., 2008. Silvopastoral systems as a sustainable alternative to animal production in the tropics. In: O. Castelán, A.R. Bernués and F. Mould (eds), Opportunities and challenges for smallholder ruminant systems in latin America. Resources management, food safety, quality and market access, (Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca) 187–200
Mendieta-Araica, B., Sporndly, E., Reyes-Sánchez, N., Norell, L. and Sporndly, R., 2009. Silage quality when Moringa oleifera is ensiled in mixtures with Elephant grass, sugar cane and molasses, Grass and Forage Science, 64, 364–373
Mendieta-Araica, B., Spörndly, R., Reyes-Sánchez, N. and Spörndly, E., 2010. Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal as a source of protein in locally produced concentrates for dairy cows fed low protein diets in tropical areas, Livestock Science, doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2010.09.021
Nash, J., 1985. Crop conservation and storage in cool, temperate climates. (Pergamon Press, Oxford)
NRC, 1988. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. Sixth revised edition. National Research Council. National Academy Press. Washington DC
NRC, 2001. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. Seventh revised edition. National Research Council. National Academy Press. Washington DC
Oldham, J., 1984. Protein-Energy interrelationships in dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science, 67, 1090–1114
Panciera, M., Kunkle, W. and Fransen, S., 2003. Minor silage crops. In: D. Buxton, R. Muck and J, Harrison (eds), Silage science and technology, (American society of agronomy Inc., Crop science society of America Inc., Soil science society of America Inc., Madison), 781–824
Panditharatne, S., Allen, V., Fontenot, J. and Jayasuriya, M., 1986. Ensiling characteristics of tropical grasses as influenced by stage of growth, additives and chopping length, Journal of Animal Science, 63, 197
Paterson, R., Karanja, G., Roothaert, R., Nyaata, O. and Kariuki, W., 1998. A review of tree fodder production and utilization within smallholder agroforestry systems in Kenya, Agroforestry Systems, 41, 191–199
Patterson, H. and Lucas, H., 1962. Change-over design. Technical Bulletin 147, (United States Department of Agriculture, North Carolina)
Pezo, D., 1991. La calidad nutritiva de los forrajes. Producción y utilización de forrajes en el trópico, Compendio. Serie de materiales de enseñanza 15, (CATIE, Turrialba)
Phiri, M., Ngongoni, N., Maasdorp, B., Titterton, M., Mupangwa, J., Sebata, A. 2007. Ensiling characteristics and feeding value of silage made from browse tree legume-maize mixtures. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems. 7, 149–156.
Reyes-Sánchez, N., 2006. Moringa oleifera and Cratylia argentea: Potential fodder species for ruminants in Nicaragua, Doctoral thesis No. 2001:1. (SLU Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae, Uppsala)
Reyes-Sánchez, N., Ledin, S. and Ledin, I., 2006a. Biomass production and chemical composition of Moringa oleifera under different management regimes in Nicaragua, Agroforestry Systems, 66, 231–242
Reyes-Sánchez, N., Sporndly, E., and Ledin, I., 2006b. Effect of feeding different levels of foliage of Moringa oleifera to creole dairy cows on intake, digestibility, milk production and composition, Livestock Science, 1001, 24–31
Reyes-Sánchez, N., Mendieta-Araica, B., Fariña, T. and Mena, M., 2008. Guía de suplementación alimenticia estratégica para bovinos en época seca, Serie Guías Técnicas 12 (Universidad Nacional Agraria, Managua)
Reyes-Sánchez, N., Mendieta-Araica, B., Fariña, T., Mena, M., Cardona, J. and Pezo, D., 2009. Elaboración y utilización de ensilajes en la alimentación del ganado bovino, Manual Técnico 91 (CATIE, Managua)
Ruiz, M.E., 2005. Overcoming feed limitations in dual-purpose cattle system in Latin America. In: A.A. Ayantunde, S. Fernández-Rivera and G. McCrabb (eds), Coping with feed scarcity in smallholder livestock systems in developing countries, (ILRI, Nairobi), 183–208
SAS, 2004. User guide, version 9.1.2, (Statistical analysis system institute Inc., Cary)
Sarwatt, S., Milang'ha, M., Lekule, F. and Madalla, N., 2004. Moringa oleifera and cottonseed cake as supplements for smallholder dairy cows fed Napier grass, Livestock Research for Rural Development, 16, 6, Retrieved December 7, 2010, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd16/6/sarw16038.htm
Schingoethe, D., 1996. Dietary influence on protein level in milk and milk yield in dairy cows, Animal Feed Science and Technology, 60, 181–190
Seré, C., Steinfeld, H. and Groenewold., J., 1995. World livestock production systems—Current status, issues and trends (FAO, Rome)
Shipe, W., Ledford, A., Peterson, R., Scanlan, R., Geerken, H., Dougherty, R. and Morgan, M., 1962. Physiological mechanisms involved in transmitting flavors and odors to milk. II. Transmission of some flavor components of silage, Journal of Dairy Science, 4, 477–480
Shipe, W., Bassette, E., Deane, D., Dunkley, W., Hammond, E., Harper, W., Kleyn, D., Morgan, M., Nelson, J. and Scanlan, R., 1978. Off flavors of milk: Nomenclature, standards and bibliography, Journal of Dairy Science, 61, 855–869
Steinfeld, H., Gerber, P., Wassenaar, T., Castel, V., Rosales, M. and de Haan, C., 2006. Livestock's long shadow: environmental issues and options, (FAO, Rome)
Sutton, J., 1989. Altering milk composition by feeding, Journal of Dairy Science, 72, 2801–2814
Szott, L., Ibrahim, M. and Beer, J., 2000. The hamburger connection hangover: Cattle, pasture land degradation and alternative use in Central America, (CATIE, Turrialba)
Tjandraatmadja, M., Norton, B. and Mac Rae, I., 1994. Ensilage characteristics of three tropical grasses as influenced by stage of growth and addition of molasses, World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 10, 74–81
Undersander, D., Mertens, D. and Theix, N., 1993. Forage analyses procedures, (National forage testing association, Omaha)
Valenciaga, D., Chongo, B. and La O, O., 2001. Characterization of clon Pennisetum CUBA CT-115. Chemical composition and dry matter ruminal degradability, Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science, 35, 349–354
Valenciaga, D., Chongo, B., Herrera, R., Torres, V., Oramas, A. and Herrera, M., 2009. Effect of regrowth age on in vitro dry matter digestibility of Pennisetum purpureum cv. CUBA CT-115, Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science, 43, 79–82
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, 4, 3583–3597
Vélez, M., 1997. Producción de Ganado lechero en el Trópico, (Escuela Agrícola Panamericana, El Zamorano, Tegucigalpa)
Witting de Penna, E., 1981. Evaluación sensorial, una metódica que mide calidad. II. Evaluación mediante el test de valoración con escala de Karlsruhe, Alimentos, 6, 25–31
Acknowledgments
The funding for this research, provided by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), is gratefully acknowledged. Börje Ericsson, is also acknowledged for his help and support throughout the laboratory analysis.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mendieta-Araica, B., Spörndly, E., Reyes-Sánchez, N. et al. Feeding Moringa oleifera fresh or ensiled to dairy cows—effects on milk yield and milk flavor. Trop Anim Health Prod 43, 1039–1047 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9803-7
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9803-7