Effect of dried Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) supplemented diet on growing Bonsmara steers calves.

Reducing feed costs while maintaining profitable beef production continues to challenge farmers, increasing the need to identify alternative feed resources. Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth; WH), an invasive aquatic plant, has potential as a ruminant feed ingredient; however, its ability to accumulate pollutants raises food-safety concerns. This study evaluated the nutritive value of dried WH in iso-nitrogenous feedlot diets and assessed the presence of heavy metals in tissues of cattle consuming WH. Four diets containing 0%, 25%, 35%, or 45% WH were formulated and fed to weaner cattle. Average daily gain decreased significantly with increasing WH inclusion (P < 0.001), with cattle in the control group achieving 1.60 kg/day compared with 0.83, 0.70, and 0.30 kg/day in the 25%, 35%, and 45% WH treatments, respectively. Feed intake showed a similar declining pattern, and feed conversion ratio worsened at higher levels of WH inclusion. Heavy metals were not detected in liver or muscle samples, although copper concentrations decreased numerically as dietary WH increased. The absence of detectable heavy metal residues is encouraging; however, routine screening of WH-fed livestock products remains advisable due to the plant’s capacity to absorb environmental contaminants. Further research is needed to identify post-drying additives or processing strategies that improve the palatability and intake of WH to enhance its value as a cost-effective feed resource for beef cattle.