Chernet Woyimo Woju

Effective Microorganisms (Em (Tm))for N-balance and Growth of Local Sheep: Does Em (Tm) Retain Nitrogen and Promote Growth? Chernet Woyimo Woju

An experiment was conducted to determine different levels of EM-bokashi® and MEM solution inclusion in supplemental diets of Afar sheep(Ethiopia) on nitrogen balance and growth. 25 yearling male sheep with a BW of 18.8kg ± 1.6kg were used in the study. In CRB design, five sheep were randomly assigned to each of the five dietary treatments that consisted of ad libitum tef straw + concentrate (300gm/head/day) + no supplementation (T1), and supplementation of EM-bokashi® with 1% (T2), 3% (T3) and 5 % (T4) on dry matter (DM) basis and 14% (T5) MEM solution. Daily LW gain was lower (P > 0.05) in sheep supplemented with the same diet compared to the other levels of EM-bokashi® inclusion. Apparent digestibility coefficient of DM and CP at any percentage of EM-bokashi® and MEM solution inclusion was non significant (P < 0.05) however significant nitrogen intake with corresponding nitrogen retention were higher (P> 0.05) for treatment 5 with the lowest being for treatment 2. From the results of this study, it is concluded that EM? could be included preferably in its MEM solution form than bokashi at 14% or more in the ration of sheep.