Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Animal Science and Economics , cilt.2, sa.2, ss.70-76, 2023 (Hakemli Dergi)
Insufficient production of roughage in ruminant animal feeding is one of the most important problems of livestock breeding in Turkey. In addition to being cheap feed sources, roughage has a great importance in the nutrition of ruminant animals in terms of the normal functioning of the digestive physiology. Especially in times of famine and when there is not enough feed, tree branches and leaves need to be used in animal feeding as an alternative feed source. In our country, the inefficient meadow pastures and the inadequacy in the production of forage crops have led to the use of alternative forage sources. In order to meet the need for quality roughage by bringing cheap and alternative roughage resources to livestock enterprises, alternative roughage usage information should be given to producers. Olive leaves containing leaves and branches of olive trees left over from pruning, cleaning, and threshing can be used in ruminant rations as an alternative to roughage. In addition, olive leaf is a by-product that naturally contains many bioactive components with functional value. This review presents the importance of using olive leaves, which are the residues of olive harvest, as animal feed to meet the needs of animals, especially during periods of drought and feed shortage, and the in vivo and in vitro studies on this subject.