Can lantana seeds be utilized in lamb rations?

Lantana seeds contain 70.6 g crude protein, 12.8 g ether extract, 103.1 g crude fibre, 761.0 g nitrogen-free extract, 52.5 g total ash, 8.4 g calcium and 2.5 g phosphorus/kg dry matter. The replacement, by lantana seeds, of 200 g maize/kg of concentrate mixture for lambs was studied in two experiments lasting 3–4 months. The crude protein concentration in the lantana ration was lower than in the maize, and significantly (P<0.01) so in the second experiment. In the first experiment, the digestibility and intakes of dietary crude protein (DCP) and total dietary nitrogen (TDN) of the lantana group were not significantly lower. In the second experiment, dry matter and crude protein digestibility and intakes of DCP and TDN of the lantana group were significantly (P<0.01) lower than the maize group. Even after adjustment for mean protein concentration in the diets, the intakes of DCP (P<0.01) and TDN (P<0.05) in the lantana group were significantly lower. In a repeat metabolic trial also, the adjusted intakes of both DCP and TDN (P<0.01) of the lantana group were significantly lower. In spite of the depression in feed utilization, the biochemical and haematological parameters of the blood of animals in the lantana group were within the normal range. The apparent non-toxicity of lantana seeds to lambs over long-term feeding trials calls for further work on their possible utilization as a feed ingredient.