10.57647/jrs-2026-1601.07

Chemical Composition and Condensed Tannin Content of Major Livestock Feeds from Borana Rangeland, Southern Ethiopia

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  • Hassanuur Hassan1,
  • Gebreegziabher Zereu*2,
  • Netsanet Beyero33,
  • Merga Bayssa4,
  1. Department of Animal Science, College of Pastoral Studies and Dry Land Agriculture, Borana University, Ethiopia
  2. Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Adigrat University, Ethiopia
  3. Department of Animal Production and Technology, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia
  4. Department of Animal and Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, Ethiopia

Received: 2024-11-30

Revised: 2025-06-05

Accepted: 2025-06-14

Published in Issue 2026-03-31

Copyright (c) 2025 Hassanuur Hassan, Gebreegziabher Zereu, Netsanet Beyero3, Merga Bayssa (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Hassan, H., Zereu, G., Beyero3, N., & Bayssa, M. (2026). Chemical Composition and Condensed Tannin Content of Major Livestock Feeds from Borana Rangeland, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Rangeland Science, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.57647/jrs-2026-1601.07
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Abstract

Studies on available feed resources and their nutritional values are important. This study aimed to investigate chemical composition and Condensed Tannin (CT) content of major feed resources in Moyale district of Borona rangeland, southern Ethiopia. Samples were collected from major feed resources: five browse species (Acacia brevispica, Acacia mellifera, Commiphora Africana, Dichrostachys cinerea and Grewia tembensis), five grasses (Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri, Digitaria milanjiana, Eragrostis capitulifera and Panicum maximum), mixed natural pasture, two crop residues (maize stover and haricot bean straw), wheat bran and two herbaceous legumes (Indigofera volkensii and Commelina africana). Samples were analyzed for ash, Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Neutral-Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid-Detergent Fiber (ADF) and CT. There were variations in chemical composition and CT of the investigated feeds. For the browse species, CP (15.50 -19.08%), NDF (55.38-65.96%) and CT (1.32-24.71%) were found. For the grasses, CP (7.34-8.78%), NDF (67.20-76.41%) and CT (0.86-2.07%); and for mixed natural pasture, CP (11.28%), NDF (71.50%), and CT (1.01%) contents were recorded. For the crop residues, maize stover CP (3.13%) and NDF (73.55%), and haricot bean straw CP (4.74%) and NDF (70.03%) were found. The CP and NDF contents of wheat bran were 18.06% and 45.45%, respectively. For the legume forage species, CP (17.06%), NDF (57.30%) and CT (2.04%) for Indigofera volkensii, and CP (11.32%), NDF (73.03%) and CT (0.60%) for Commelina Africana were recorded. In conclusion, the relatively high CP content of the browse species can be used as protein supplement to low-quality feeds during the dry season. Furthermore, the CT content of the browses (except Dichrostachys cinerea) and legume forages was in the level that promotes positive rumen effects. However, further studies entailing more browse species, detailed nutrient analysis, and involving animal feeding trials should be carried out for better screening of potential feeds in the study area.

Keywords

  • Browse species,
  • Chemical composition,
  • Crop residues,
  • Legume forages,
  • Moyale district
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