Possibilities of Using Bananas for the Feeding of Ruminants in Humid Tropical Regions

Abstract

The possibility of using green or ensiled bananas was studied with goats green-fed a tropical grass (Digitaria decumbens). Bananas increased both dry matter intake and digestible organic matter intake. Offered ad libitum bananas represented 50 to 70% of the diet of lactating or young growing goats without reducing milk production or growth rate. Provided the nitrogen level of the diet was balanced it was possible to reduce concentrate by 300 to 450 g/day/animal. It was also possible to fatten young goats with a complete diet composed of banana, cereal, bagasse, and urea simultaneously ensiled. Further study is needed to determine whether these types of diets are effective for cattle.