Babassu Byproducts in Total Mixed Ration Silage Based on Sugarcane for Small Ruminants Diets

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fermentative profile, chemical composition, and in situ degradability of total mixed ration silage with or without babassu byproducts formulated for sheep diets. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments (silages) and five replications (silos). The treatments were SS: sugarcane silage (control); SSCS: sugarcane silage with corn and soybean meal; SSBF: sugarcane silage with corn, soybean meal, and babassu flour; and SSBC: sugarcane silage with corn, soybean meal, and babassu cake. The experimental diets were formulated to be isoprotein, and to meet the nutritional requirements of confined sheep with an average weight of 20 kg, according to Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants. The SSCS, SSBF, and SSBC treatments presented the highest values of dry matter recovery (83.74, 82.08, and 83.92%, respectively), and higher dry matter (349.07, 344,39, and 352.32 g/kg, respectively), crude protein (151.19, 136.98, and 142.14 g/kg DM, respectively), and non-fibrous carbohydrate (444.70, 353.40, and 371.30 g/kg DM, respectively) contents than the SS treatment. The largest degradations of DM, CP, and neutral detergent fiber in each treatment occurred at 72 h, in which the SSCS treatments presented the highest degradations in comparison to the others (80.59, 87.89, and 55.68, respectively). The inclusion of babassu byproducts in sugarcane silages in the form of total ration acted positively in the qualitative indicators of the silages, improving the fermentation profile and reducing losses, as well as improving the chemical composition and in situ degradability.