Unlocking the Feed Potential: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Grasses, Legumes, Shrubs, and Trees for Sustainable Animal Nutrition in Ethiopia

Abstract This study provides a comprehensive nutritional evaluation of indigenous forage species across the lowland and midland agro-ecologies of Southern Ethiopia. A range of species, including grasses, legumes, shrubs, and fodder trees, were analyzed for key nutritional parameters: dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), fiber fractions (NDF, ADF, and ADL), metabolizable energy (ME), and macro-minerals (K, Ca, and Mg). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc tests, revealing statistically significant variations (P < 0.05) across species and agro-ecologies. Midland species consistently exhibited superior nutritional quality, with significantly higher CP (e.g., up to 22.55% in Melilotus albus ) and ME values (e.g., up to 2361.01 kcal/kg in Moringa species) compared to lowland varieties. Conversely, lowland forages had higher DM, ash content, and fiber fractions, indicating lower digestibility. Macro-mineral analysis showed significant inter-species differences, with Colona floribunda being notably rich in potassium (12.66 g/kg) and calcium (3.57 g/kg). The findings underscore the critical influence of agro-ecology on forage quality. This research provides robust, evidence-based data crucial for developing sustainable livestock feeding systems. By enabling the targeted use of high-quality indigenous forages, these results can help smallholder producers enhance animal productivity, optimize supplementation strategies, and reduce dependence on expensive commercial feeds.