feed cashew nut siftings to dairy cattle

FEED CASHEW NUT SIFTINGS TO DAIRY

CATTLE

Compiled by:J. N. Kiura, L. C. Mambo, S. Bimbuzi, F. Mshote

and K. K. Lewa

KALRO Mtwapa, P.O. Box 16 - 80109, Mtwapa

Tel: 020 2024751Email: kalro.mtwapa@kalro.org

http://www.kalro.org

Editorial and publication coordinated by: Knowledge, Information and Outreach Unit

KALRO Information Brochure Series No. 2017/037

Kshs. 30

• Add a similar amount of grass/cashew / maize bran mixture in theevening

........for increased milk production

A farmer feeding cattle on forages

For Further Information, Contact:Centre-Director

Introduction

• Feed quality is a major constraint to dairy production in Kenya

• Protein and energy supplementation are required for high dairy production

• Protein and energy feed supplements are expensive

• Cashew tree is widely grown in coastal Kenya

• Cashew waste from nut processing is a good source of protein feed for dairy cattle.

• Peel cashew nuts from your farm or buy cashew siftings from a factory Utilization of cashew nut waste

• Make sure that Napier grass is available to the animal at all times

Cashew siftings from factory

Cashew siftings in a bucket

Chopping Napier grass

Natural grass

• Add 3 kg of cashew waste to 3 kg of maize bran and mix well

• Put 20 kg of chopped Napier grass or natural pastures in the feed trough and mix with half of the Cashew /maize bran mixture, in the morning

• For a 400 kg cow, this will be about 40 kg of fresh Napier grass or natural pastures per day