From wetland biomass to ruminant feed: influence of maturity stage on fiber fractions and digestibility of cattail (Typha spp.)

Forage scarcity and rising feed costs constrain sustainable ruminant production, particularly where conventional roughage is limited. This study evaluated cattail (Typha spp.), an abundant wetland biomass, as an unconventional forage by assessing maturity stage and plant fraction effects on fiber composition, in vitro digestibility, and gas production. Fresh Typha was harvested from the Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme, Nigeria, at five stages: 0.5 m, 1.0 m, 1.5 m, early bloom, and senescence. Samples were separated into stem, leaf, and seed pod fractions, dried, ground, and analyzed using sequential fiber analysis and 48 h in vitro rumen incubation. Timothy hay served as reference forage, while blanks corrected fermentation values. Neutral detergent fiber ranged from 68.2 to 79.2% of dry matter, acid detergent fiber from 41.3 to 54.6%, and acid detergent lignin from 6.3 to 11.9%. Fiber digestibility and cumulative gas production declined with maturity. The 0.5 m stem showed the lowest neutral detergent fiber residue and highest gas production, indicating superior fermentability and energy availability. Mature and senescent fractions had lower digestibility, likely due to lignification and reduced microbial access. Although Timothy hay remained more digestible, early-harvested Typha, particularly stems, demonstrated moderate nutritive value.