Animal Sciences Commons^™

The Potential Use Of Tree Leaf Silage For Livestock Nutrition, Including Willow, Drumstick, Mulberry, And Acadia Species, Jade Chin

Honors College

Leaf silage has been historically used as ruminant feed, with multiple positive attributes such as being a secure, preserved feed source that is relatively accessible. However, the digestibility, nutritive value, and potential anti-nutritive factors are not well researched or known. The goal of this review is to examine recent literature on leaf silage and its potential advantages and practical limits of being utilized as livestock feed. The scope of this study was limited to willow (Salix spp.), acacia (Acacia spp.), mulberry (Morus alba and Broussonetia papyrifera), and drumstick leaf silage (Moringa oleifera), due to …