Fresh cassava fermentation and feeding method
The application of this technology is not limited to potatoes alone; it can also be used for other root crops such as fresh sweet potatoes and cassava. This method involves fermenting the raw material to enhance its nutritional value and reduce toxicity, making it safe and beneficial for animal feed.
Fresh cassava roots contain about 70% water, 1% protein, 0.2% crude fat, and around 28% starch. They are also rich in vitamins. However, they naturally contain hydrogen cyanide, a toxic compound that can cause poisoning if fed directly to animals. Using a roughage degradation agent during the fermentation process helps eliminate these toxins while improving digestibility and nutrient absorption. The fermented product can then be fed to animals without cooking, offering better nutrition and easier digestion.
To treat cassava effectively, the fermentation process must target the removal of hydrogen cyanide. Fresh cassava also contains high levels of pectin, which can make the final product more acidic and harder to break down. To optimize the process, it's best to shred or cut the cassava into small pieces. A typical formula includes 400 kg of shredded cassava, 60 kg of rice bran or wheat bran, 20 kg of corn flour, one packet of roughage degrading agent, half a packet of 99 raw yeast (pre-mixed with 10 kg of corn flour), 1.5 kg of salt, 1 kg of urea (to boost protein content by providing nitrogen for microbial growth), and 30 kg of soybean meal (or peanut meal if needed). Mix everything thoroughly, press it into a container, and seal it tightly with plastic film. Let it ferment for at least ten days until it develops a pleasant aroma—either sour or slightly fermented.
If the premix is insufficient in the fermented material (assuming it does not contain antibiotics, which could inhibit fermentation), you can add 4% premix per 100 kg of wet fermented material. In this case, salt should be omitted. After fermentation, the material can replace part of the full-feed ration.
It’s important to note that no additional water should be added during the mixing process. All moisture comes from the raw materials themselves. The final water content is approximately 56%. Although the mixture may appear dry before fermentation, moisture will gradually develop during the process, increasing the overall hydration level. After fermentation, the crude protein content should reach 12% or higher.
When feeding, if the fermented material is too acidic, you can add a small amount of baking soda to neutralize it. For example, adding 1–3 kg of baking soda per 100 kg of feed can help balance the pH. Sodium carbonate (limestone powder) or calcium carbonate can also be used, but they should only be added just before feeding, not during storage.
Feeding solely on degraded cassava is not recommended, as it lacks balanced nutrition. Cassava is primarily an energy source and lacks sufficient protein. It’s best to combine it with other feed ingredients, such as soybean meal, cottonseed meal, or other protein sources. These additions help improve the overall nutritional profile and ensure the feed meets the animals' dietary needs.
Before feeding, it’s advisable to expose the fermented cassava to air for a short time to allow any residual toxins to dissipate fully.
For pig feeding, here is a reference formula using pure degraded cassava (without adding soybean meal):
- 20% degraded cassava
- 35% corn flour
- 26% soybean meal
- 3% fish meal
- 15% wheat bran
- 1% calcium hydrogen phosphate
- 1% bone meal
- 1% premix additive
Note: Since the fermented cassava is wet, the weight should be doubled when calculating the quantity. For example, if the recipe calls for 20 kg, use 40 kg instead.
For larger pigs (over 100 kg), a different formula can be used:
- 30% degraded cassava
- 30% corn flour
- 18% soybean meal
- 7% peanut bran or cotton bran
- 12% wheat bran or polished rice
- 1% calcium hydrogen phosphate
- 1% bone meal
- 1% premix additive
If 4% premix is added during fermentation along with soybean meal, the fermented material can directly replace part of the full feed. When introducing it for the first time, start with a small percentage—such as 10%—and gradually increase if the animals adapt well. If there are signs of discomfort, reduce the proportion by 10%.
Here’s a step-by-step feeding plan:
1. **First test:** 10% fermented material + 90% full feed
2. **Second feeding:** 20% fermented material + 80% full feed
3. **Third feeding:** 30% fermented material + 70% full feed
If the animals adapt well, you can increase the proportion gradually, but it’s recommended not to exceed 40%.
Another method of utilizing cassava is by slicing, boiling, drying, and grinding it into powder. This process increases digestibility and absorption rate, similar to the fermentation method. For every four pounds of fresh cassava, you can obtain one pound of potato flour. This flour can be used as an energy source in feed formulas. To compensate for the nutritional gap between potato flour and corn flour, it’s advised to add a pack of roughage degrading agent per 400 kg of feed. Before feeding, mix 120 kg of water with every 100 kg of feed to moisten it, and let it sit for an hour before serving.
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