Abstract
ABSTRACT A new spineless cactus genotype (Orelha de Elefante Mexicana) is being used in the diets of dairy animals raised in semiarid regions. However, little is known about its impact on goat milk production and feeding costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the milk production and costs of feeding lactating Saanen goats with diets containing the spineless cactus Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) as a replacement for the Miúda (MIU) spineless cactus. Ten Saanen goats with an average initial weight of 50 ± 5.6 kg were assigned to two 5 × 5 Latin-square designs. The diets consisted of replacing MIU with four levels of OEM (0%, 11.5%, 23.5%, and 35%, on a dry matter basis) and a control based on Tifton hay. The diet with 35% OEM had lower costs per kg dry matter ($0.32) as well as lower daily feed costs ($0.29/d). The dry matter intakes and milk yields (3.21 kg/d) did not differ (P > 0.05) between the OEM replacement levels. The use of up to 35% MIU or OEM spineless cactus in the Saanen goat diet maintains milk production levels and decreases feed production costs.
Highlights
The semiarid regions of the world are characterized by limited food resources and reduced fodder availability during the dry periods of the year, when animals must be supplemented with concentrated and bulky feed
Due to the similarity in the chemical compositions of the diets, the replacement of MIU with Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) had no affect (P >0.05) on dry mass (DM) consumption (Table 2), which is probably regulated by physiological factors (MERTENS, 1994)
Replacing the MIU with OEM did not alter (P >0.05) the milk fat content (Table 2), which can be explained by the similarity in their chemical compositions and the lack of difference in dietary intake
Summary
The semiarid regions of the world are characterized by limited food resources and reduced fodder availability during the dry periods of the year, when animals must be supplemented with concentrated and bulky feed. A search for natural resources to meet the nutritional requirements for maintaining milk production during this critical period is needed. The spineless cactus was a strategic solution, because it had adaptive characteristics that allowed for its development, and it is considered an important feed source (MAHOUACHI; ATTI; HAJJI, 2012). When associated with a fiber source, this cactus can be used in the ruminant diet as an energy source provided the nutritional deficiencies are corrected (INÁCIO et al, 2020). When Lopes et al (2017) evaluated diets with 400 g/kg dry mass (DM) of the Miúda spineless cactus in dairy goats, they found no difference in milk production
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