Feeding Livestock.

Livestock is the direct source of income for more than 70% rural population. This sector contributes significantly to Pakistan's economy by having a 60.1% in agriculture and 11.5% in the overall GDP of the country. Sheep and goats provide mutton, milk and wool as an income-generating source for small and marginal farmers round the year. The expansion of cropland has resulted in an increased production of crop residues, which in turn, can be used in livestock feed to overcome the fodder shortage. Cereal crops including wheat, rice, corn and sorghum, among different crop varieties, are most commonly used as crop residues after harvesting due to their ability to produce higher quantities of stem and leaves. Among different cereal crop residues, corn stover (CS), nowadays, has gained much importance for its utilization in livestock feed. Pakistan produces 43 MMT of crop residues annually in which the of corn stover is about 1.5 MMT.

Corn stover, as fibrous plant parts, is left in the field after harvesting, and includes leaves, stubble, stalk and root. The corn stover, with its higher crude protein (CP) contents (6%), is considered the best suitable cereal residue for feeding to the small ruminants. There is a lack of awareness among farmers and insufficient technical knowledge regarding the composition and nutritional value of these residues. Moreover, there is limited literature available...