Evaluation of the Nutritional, Mineral, and Estimated Metabolizable Energy Values of Agricultural Biomass Raw Materials Used for the Development of Concentrated Fermented Feed for Beef Cattle in Mukdahan Province, Northeast Thailand
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Abstract
This study evaluated the nutritional, mineral, and estimated metabolizable energy (EME) profiles of eight locally available agricultural biomass raw materials to support the development of a cost-effective concentrated fermented feed (CFF) for beef cattle in Mukdahan Province, Northeast Thailand. Finely ground maize kernels, soybean meal, palm kernel meal, rice bran, dried cassava chips, cassava pulp, washed cassava peels, and fresh cassava starch residue were analyzed for proximate composition, EME, and essential minerals (Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Na, and K), with all values reported on an as-fed basis. A CFF formulation (1,000 kg batch) was developed from these raw materials and compared with five commercial beef cattle feeds. Soybean meal, palm kernel meal, and rice bran exhibited the highest protein contents, while rice bran showed the greatest calculated EME value (4097 kcal/kg of sample). Cassava-based by-products were rich in carbohydrates but relatively low in protein and fat. Mineral analysis revealed substantial variation among raw materials, with high concentrations of P, Mg, Ca, and K in several biomass sources. The formulated CFF contained 12.16 ± 0.21% crude protein, 3.29 ± 0.05% fat, and 47.56 ± 0.90% carbohydrates. The calculated EME content was 2685 kcal/kg of sample, which is highly comparable to the nutrient profiles of commercial feeds available in the market. Importantly, CFF production costs were markedly lower (4.50 THB/kg) than those of commercial products (10.67–15.33 THB/kg), demonstrating significant economic advantages. Overall, the results confirm that locally sourced biomass can be effectively used to formulate nutritionally adequate, mineral-rich, and low-cost fermented feed, thereby contributing to sustainable beef cattle production and reducing farmers' feed expenses.
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