FUNAAB IFSERAR Seminar Highlights Benefits of Brachiaria Silage for Goat Production

The Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR) has highlighted the potential of ensiled Brachiaria grasses as a sustainable feed option for improving goat productivity.

The institute made this known during its monthly seminar held on June 24, 2026, at its laboratory, where a Research Fellow in the Livestock Production Research Programme, Mr. Tovieesi Peter, presented findings from his study on the growth performance, blood profile, rumen microbial population and microbial identification in KALAWAD and Maradi goats fed silage produced from Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria mulato.

According to the researcher, seasonal feed scarcity remains one of the major constraints to livestock production in Nigeria and other tropical regions, leading to poor animal performance, declining health and reduced profitability for farmers.

To address the challenge, the study evaluated the effectiveness of silage produced from the two Brachiaria species as an alternative feed resource during the dry season.

Presenting the findings, Mr. Peter said goats fed the ensiled Brachiaria diets recorded satisfactory growth and maintained normal physiological health throughout the study.

He revealed that haematological and biochemical analyses showed all measured parameters remained within acceptable physiological ranges, indicating that the diets had no adverse effects on the animals.

The study also found that the silages supported diverse rumen microbial populations, enhancing fermentation, improving digestion and promoting efficient nutrient utilisation. According to the researcher, the identification of beneficial rumen microorganisms further demonstrated the ability of the silages to sustain a healthy and productive rumen environment.

Mr. Peter noted that adopting Brachiaria-based silage could provide livestock farmers with a cost-effective and sustainable feeding strategy that ensures year-round feed availability while reducing the effects of seasonal forage shortages.

He concluded that both Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria mulato silages are promising feed resources capable of improving productivity, supporting animal health and enhancing rumen function in KALAWAD and Maradi goats.

The researcher recommended the wider adoption of Brachiaria-based silage technology among goat farmers and called for further studies to evaluate its long-term effects on reproductive performance, productivity and profitability in small ruminant production systems.