O. B. Abiloro

The persistent challenge of feed scarcity, especially in regions with seasonal droughts, underscores the critical need to convert abundant agricultural residues into sustainable livestock feed. Despite being a widely accessible agricultural by-product, maize cobs are not very useful due to their high fiber content and poor digestion. This study sought to determine how the chemical and physical composition of the maize cobs were affected by ensiling with different volume of wood ash extract for 21 days. Four treatments were evaluated: T1 (UMC): Untreated maize cob (control); T2 (WMC): maize cob soaked in water; T3 (MCWAE250ml): maize cob ensiled with 250ml WAE; T4 (MCWAE500ml): maize cob ensiled with 500ml WAE. Results indicated that ensiling, particularly with WAE, significantly altered the nutritional profile. T2 showed the highest Crude Protein (CP=5.53%), a substantial increase from the control (T1, CP=3.21%). Fiber analysis revealed that the higher WAE volume in T4 effectively reduced Crude Fibre (CF=25.37%) compared to T1 (CF=30.42%) and T3 (CF=39.87%). Mineral analysis demonstrated that WAE enrichment significantly increased key minerals; T3 had the highest Calcium (Ca=128.30 mg/100g) and Zinc (Zn=2.05 mg/100g), while T2 recorded the highest Nitrogen (N=893.50 mg/100g). Physical properties improved, with T4 exhibiting a dark brown colour and less abrasive texture deemed desirable for silage. The study concludes that ensiling maize cobs with wood ash extract, particularly at 250ml (T3), optimally enhances the mineral profile (Ca, Zn) and at 500ml (T4) reduces fiber content, converting them into a digestible, nutrient-rich, and stable feed, thereby presenting a practical method for agricultural waste recycling

Maize cobs are an abundant agricultural by-product with limited feeding value due to their low protein content and high fiber composition. Ensiling is a preservation method that can enhance the quality of crop residues, while additives such as wood ash extract may further improve fermentation and nutrient retention. Freshly harvested maize cobs were divided into three groups: one treated with wood ash extract, another soaked in water for 30 mins and the other ordinary maize cobs. The first treatment was ensiled for seven days under anaerobic conditions. At the end of the ensiling period, samples were analyzed for chemical composition (crude protein, crude fiber, ash content, and moisture) and physical properties (color, odor, and texture). Results showed that the wood ash extract treatment (Trt3) was highly effective. It significantly reduced Crude Fiber (from 30.42% to 24.72%), indicating successful alkaline delignification, and lowered Carbohydrates (from 55.44% to 31.26%) through chemical breakdown and fermentation. This treatment also acted as a mineral supplement, significantly increasing the total Ash content (from 1.55% to 3.98%) and fortifying the cobs with Calcium (105.6 mg/100mg) and Sodium (44.75 mg/100mg).