Feeding strategies with fresh cassava root to improve dairy cow productivity in the tropics.

Fresh cassava root represents a plentiful, energy-dense feed resource for dairy cattle in tropical regions, though its use is limited by the inherent presence of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). This review synthesizes the effects of various detoxification strategies on feed intake, rumen fermentation, milk production, and somatic cell count outcomes in dairy cows. A variety of detoxification techniques-including sun-drying, ensiling, sulfur supplementation, rhodanese enzyme addition, and microbial inoculation-have effectively reduced cyanide toxicity. Across studies, detoxified fresh cassava root consistently maintained or enhanced dry matter intake, improved rumen fermentation characteristics, and increased nutrient digestibility. Systemic detoxification was evidenced by elevated blood thiocyanate concentrations, while milk yield and composition were maintained or improved following detoxified cassava feeding. Additionally, somatic cell counts were reduced by 14.9% to 71.9%, while digestibility increased by 5-16%, suggesting potential improvements in milk quality. Although sulfur supplementation often achieved rapid detoxification responses, microbial detoxification strategies provided sustainable, biologically renewable alternatives. Though effective, sulfur strategies may carry risks of over-supplementation if not carefully managed. The selection of an appropriate detoxification strategy should consider farm management practices, feed processing infrastructure, and economic feasibility. Future research should refine detoxification protocols, evaluate long-term production outcomes, and assess techno-economic viability for broader adoption. Properly detoxified fresh cassava root represents a potentially beneficial strategy to enhance feed resource utilization and dairy productivity within tropical production systems.