Abstract
new genotype of spineless cactus is being used in the diets of dairy cattle that are raised in semi-arid regions. However, little is known about its nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing Miuda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) with Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta [Haw.] Haw.) spineless cactus, on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield and composition, feeding behaviour, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen balance, and ruminal and blood parameters of dairy cows. Ten Girolando cows, 500 ± 51.6 kg bodyweight, were distributed in a double Latin square design 5 x 5. The treatments consisted of replacement levels of Miuda (MIU) by Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM) (14.38–12.95 kg d-1, 716.3–658.9 g d-1), organic matter (OM) (13.01–11.43 kg d-1, 747.8–704.8 g d-1), crude protein (CP) (2.02–1.61 kg d-1, 863.8–845.2 g d-1) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) (9.38–7.92 kg d-1) decreased linearly with the increase in replacement. Despite the decrease in intake and digestibility, the supply of nutrients was sufficient to maintain a milk yield of 12.5 kg d-1. The average daily weight gain decreased linearly with the increase in replacement, while protein microbial efficiency (g microbial CP kg-1 TDN intake; 91.24 to 127.44 g kg-1) increased linearly. Thus, OEM could replace 100% MIU in diets with 48% of spineless cactus, for crossbred lactating cows with 12.5 kg d-1 milk yield. Therefore, OEM is a viable new option for producing milk in smallholder livestock systems in semi-arid regions.Keywords: Alternative forage, milk yield, ruminal parameter, semi-arid, smallholder livestock system
Highlights
In Brazil, the smallholder system produces 70% of food consumed in the country, with milk production represented by 58% (MDA, 2015)
It has adaptive agronomic characteristics, such as being tolerant to hydric stress, and being suitable as forage in diets for dairy goats, dairy cattle, and sheep (Mahouachi et al, 2012; Monteiro et al, 2014; Lins et al, 2016, respectively). It has a high content of non-fibrous carbohydrates, and significantly high energy content compared with other forage plants (Ben Salem, 2010; Siqueira et al, 2017)
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing Miúda with Orelha de Elefante Mexicana spineless cactus on nutrient intake, digestibility, milk yield and composition, feeding behaviour, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen balance, and ruminal and blood parameters of Girolando lactating cows
Summary
In Brazil, the smallholder system produces 70% of food consumed in the country, with milk production represented by 58% (MDA, 2015) This livestock system characterizes the semi-arid regions of the Brazilian northeast, and one of its few viable economic activities is dairy production (Oliveira et al, 2016). The spineless cactus is an essential forage for livestock in Brazilian semi-arid regions It has adaptive agronomic characteristics, such as being tolerant to hydric stress, and being suitable as forage in diets for dairy goats, dairy cattle, and sheep (Mahouachi et al, 2012; Monteiro et al, 2014; Lins et al, 2016, respectively). Thousands of hectares have been decimated by infestations of cochineal carmine (Dactylopius sp.) This plague is expanding steadily through spineless cactus areas as a result of favourable conditions during the prolonged drought of 2012 in the Brazilian northeast
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