NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF BLACK LOCUST TREE LEAF MEAL (Robinia pseudoacacia) AND ALFALFA MEAL

Abstract
Alfalfa meal (Medicago sativa) and black locust tree leaf meal (BLT meal — Robinia pseudoacacia) with similar protein (CP), calcium and phosphorus (P) content were compared. Lambs consumed 10% more (P > 0.05) alfalfa than BLT meal. Digestibilities of organic matter, CP, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and P in BLT meal averaged less than half (P < 0.01) those in alfalfa. Plasma urea nitrogen, ruminal ammonia and branched chain fatty acids were lower (P < 0.001) in lambs fed BLT meal. BLT meal is not a satisfactory alternative to alfalfa meal as a livestock feed.
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