Can bamboo be used as animal fodder?
Leaves: The use of bamboo leaves for ruminants, rabbits and fish (Nepal, Vietnam) has been reported. In the southern and northern Terai of Nepal, bamboo is one of the main sources of fodder for cattle and buffaloes during the winter season. In a study by P. Poudyal (J. Amer. Bamboo Society, 10(1&2), 1993), leaves of Bambusa tulda, Dendrocalamus spp. and Bambusa balcooa were analysed for various nutrients. Dry matter (DM) contents of 87-94% and crude protein (CP) contents of 12-15% were reported. As to the nutritive value for ruminants, in sacco nylon bag degradability test and in vitro gas production test were used to compare leaves from tropical trees and shrubs in Vietnam. The values for bamboo leaves were found to compare reasonably well to those of other tree leaves(Source: Brenda Keir, Nguyen Van Lai, T. R. Preston and E. R. Orskov 1997, Livestock Research for Rural Development 9(4). For the full article, please go to http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd9/4/bren941.htm). Culms: The i
