Forage sources in diets for dairy goats

João Paulo De Farias Ramos,Edson Mauro Santos,Wandrick Hauss De Sousa,Iara Tamires Rodrigues Cavalcante,Denizard Oresca,Ricardo Miranda Leite,Juliana Silva Oliveira,Edgard Cavalcanti Pimenta Filho

doi:10.4025/actascianimsci.v42i1.46084

João Paulo De Farias Ramos, Edson Mauro Santos + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v42i1.46084

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of sorghum silage, Buffel grass hay and forage palm fodder in the diet of dairy goats by means of performance tests and economic viability of different roughage sources. Eight Anglo-Nubian goats, multiparous, weighing around 40.13 ± 2.76 kg of live weight were used. The experiment lasted 84 days, consisting of four periods of 21 days, distributed in two Latin squares (4x4). The treatments represented by diets with different volumetric sources: SSCF: (sorghum silage+ forage palm+ concentrate); BHCF: (Buffel grass hay + cactus forage+ concentrate); SS: (sorghum silage+ concentrate) and BH: (Buffel grass hay + concentrate). Nutritional intake, digestibility, feed behavior, milk production and chemical composition and economic analysis were evaluated. Animals fed the BHCF diet had higher nutrient intakes and consequently were more productive in fat, protein, lactose, fat free solids and total solids. The BHCF diet led to a higher gross income in Brazilian currency. The safety margin of the SSCF diet presented the highest percentage, with 43.06%, and the BHCF diet, the lowest percentage, of 14.89. The association of forage palm with sorghum silage and Buffel grass hay can be used as a bulky source in lactating goat diets.

Highlights

Livestock farming of small ruminants represents one of the most important options for the primary sector of the Brazilian semi-arid region, being one of the main factors for guaranteeing the food supply of rural families and generating employment and income in the region (Aquino et al, 2016; Silva Sobrinho, 2001)
It was observed that dry matter intake, organic matter and gross protein were greater in the BHCF and minor diet on the SSCF diet
The dry matter intake was influenced (p < 0.05) by the diet being higher for the FBPF, FB and SS diets in (1.855, 1.655 and 1.512 kg day-1) respectively and did not differ among them, being lower value obse rved for the diet SSFP 1.253 kg day-1 (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Livestock farming of small ruminants represents one of the most important options for the primary sector of the Brazilian semi-arid region, being one of the main factors for guaranteeing the food supply of rural families and generating employment and income in the region (Aquino et al, 2016; Silva Sobrinho, 2001). A strategy used in the dry season for dairy goat is the intensification in the production model with the collection of animals to management centers or small areas for the most suitable feeding, allowing even rest in the pasture areas, and sustainable management of the caatinga ecosystem (Araújo, Medeiros, Carvalho, Silva, & Chagas, 2009). In this context, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L) for silage, Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) for hay and cactus forage (Nopalea cochenillifera) are potential alternatives because they are tolerant to low rainfall, with considerable productive potential, easy to cultivate and nutritional value, being easy to grow (Cardoso et al, 2019; Tolentino et al, 2016)

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